Benitez rubbishes Alonso rumours

Liverpool boss keen to keep Spaniard

Last updated: 9th May 2008

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Benitez: Wants Alonso stay

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Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez is adamant that he will not be looking to sell Xabi Alonso if Gareth Barry arrives at Anfield this summer.

The future of midfielder Alonso has been thrown into doubt after Benitez recently revealed he was keen to secure the signature of Aston Villa captain Barry.

Juventus have become the latest club to be linked with a move for Alonso, who joined Liverpool from Real Sociedad for £10.5million in 2004, while Real Madrid and Barcelona are also thought to be admirers.

However, Benitez has rubbished speculation that he is looking to offload the Spanish international.

"(Alonso) is our player, he has a contract," Benitez said in The Independent.

"Barry can play in three different positions, so I don't think we need to worry about this."

Meanwhile, Benitez will be on the lookout for a new assistant manager this summer following the news that Alex Miller has accepted an offer to manage Japanese J-League side JEF United Chiba.