Sky Sports.com

Alonso: Accepts investment is needed

It (the fallout) happened between the board and the owners, it will be those people that need to find the right solution. Liverpool is supported by so many fans and these people need to be respected.

Xabi Alonso
Quotes of the week

Related links

Teams

• Liverpool

Players

• Xabi Alonso

Also see

• Liverpool fixtures
• Liverpool stats
• Liverpool forum

Xabi Alonso is much like his passes: neat, to the point and on occasion cutting.

The well groomed Spaniard casts an affable glow over proceedings in the bar of the Liverpool hotel where we are to convene our interview, contentedly signing national team shirts that have been hastily purchased from a local JJB store.

One looks as though it may have lay dormant in a bargain bin for the past 12 months, the striking red of Spain sun-damaged into a more lethargic maroon, but there is nothing cheap about Alonso as I spot a chunky Rolex as we shake hands.

It would be wrong though to cast Alonso's choice of wristwear as being indicative of the ostentatious pursuits of so many young Premier League footballers, armed as they are with the type of wages that mean the credit crunch doesn't bite quite so hard.

Normally in these type of situations, we're here courtesy of EA Sports' new UEFA Euro 2008 game, footballers have their mouths wired by a swarm of agents, advisors and valets, who surround the cash cow to ensure the journalist can milk only insipid sound bites. But Alonso, bright and articulate, clearly knows his own mind and ushers me to a sofa in the corner as we conduct our discourse as God intended - one-on-one.

A season that has seen Liverpool conclude the campaign in fourth place is one that will sate the appetite of few Anfield regulars and Alonso, who has tasted European but not domestic league glory since joining the club in 2004, accepts it has been another term of underachievement on Merseyside.

Difficult season

"Each season with Liverpool you are expected to be in the fight for the title, even if you don't win it, and in the past few years this is something we've been unable to achieve," he lamented to skysports.com.

"It has been a difficult season personally because of the foot injury I suffered. It was a major setback in the middle of the season but right now I feel I am in a good moment. Hopefully that will continue into Euro 2008."

It is expected that Rafa Benitez will invest heavily again in the summer as he attempts to reshape a squad that has only hinted at having anything like the staying power to mount a sustained title charge.

Despite having long been established as an Anfield favourite Alonso's own future has occupied the back pages back in Spain since the end of the season and when quizzed on mooted interest from Real Madrid, the 26-year-old chooses not to straight bat my enquiry but rather smash it out of the ground for six.

"There has been no movement from Real Madrid, whether official or otherwise. At the moment I am with Liverpool, I have a contract with Liverpool and I want to be at Liverpool.

"The people who write these things have clearly not done very rigorous research," he adds, with an arched eyebrow.

I stifle a desire to protest that not all journalists treat rumour as gospel, just most of us, as he's off again to suggest that contrary to being disgruntled at the potential arrival of new signings, he is an advocate of substantial squad strengthening.

Investment needed

Aware that Manchester United, Chelsea and to a certain extent Arsenal have pulled further clear of his side this season, Alonso accepts the gap will only widen further if Liverpool's board fail to back Benitez unequivocally in the pre-season.

"I am pretty sure we'll have to improve our squad. I am sure of that, knowing the gap that we already have. It is good news that we have found a striker like Fernando (Torres) to score so many goals.

"But he needs to be surrounded by good players also. Next season we need to be consistent, not to make mistakes and drop stupid points as we fight for the title.

"I think in Europe we know we can beat anyone. We have beaten Inter Milan, Barcelona, Chelsea, Milan - all great games. In the Premiership you have to be more focused, more consistent. And I think we lack that consistency to go for the title."

Disappointingly for Liverpool supporters perhaps the major story to come out of the club this season is the Dynasty-style battles of the boardroom, with co-owners George Gillett and Tom Hicks sparring like a pair of Melwood fishwives. Both have hung their dirty washing in public on too frequent occasion, with the future of Benitez a subplot not welcomed on the terraces.

Alonso rejects the idea that the boardroom wrangles unduly unsettled the dressing room but for the sake of the club's supporters, he believes an accord needs to be struck in the summer.

Accord sought

"I don't think it affects us too much but of course the players will be pleased when the situation is sorted out," he concludes.

"It (the fallout) happened between the board and the owners, it will be those people that need to find the right solution. Liverpool is supported by so many fans and these people need to be respected."

For a player who would not be short of a sycophantic entourage should he so desire, the black Porsche parked outside the hotel I'd imagine attracts friends, respect seems to be a key characteristic of his make-up. And having met the guy, he both radiates and receives it in ample measures.

Xabi Alonso was speaking to skysports.com courtesy of EA Sports. UEFA Euro 2008 from EA SPORTS is out now on PS3, Xbox 360 and PS2. For more information, please visit www.easports.com.