Benitez holds on to Alonso

Liverpool coach Rafael Benitez confirmed on Sunday that he won't be selling midfielder Xabi Alonso, denying that Real Madrid made any offers for the Spanish international. <br>

كتب : Amro Hassan

الأحد، 23 يوليه 2006 - 20:13
ألونسو بقميص المنتخب الإسباني
Liverpool coach Rafael Benitez confirmed on Sunday that he won't be selling midfielder Xabi Alonso, denying that Real Madrid made any offers for the Spanish international.

Spanish reports suggested that Real are interested in adding Alonso to their new team set-up but Benitez said that even if Real make an offer, the 24-year-old will be staying at Anfield.

"I read what is written in the Spanish press but I can categorically state that nothing is happening with Xabi," Benitez told Liverpool's official website. "We do not want to sell him."

Meanwhile, Benitez said that despite signing Fabio Aurelio, Craig Bellamy and finalizing Mark Gonzalez's work permit, he's still in the market to add new players to his team.

"We have some news, but we still need to find other players who are stronger to make us stronger," the Spaniard was quoted as saying by Sky Sports Network.

"You can see them in the paper or watching the news and we're looking at some of them but we can't get all of them."

Liverpool finished third in the Premiership last season and were eliminated from the first knock-out stage of the UEFA Champions League.