Liverpool FC

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Alonso set for Anfield stay

23 Aug 2008 - 10:18:10

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Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez has closed the door on the Reds allowing Spain midfielder Xabi Alonso to leave the club before the end of the month.

The 26-year-old had been a target for both Juventus and Arsenal, with Benitez having previously suggested that Alonso would be allowed to move on.

However, he said on Friday: "There has been nothing more on Xabi Alonso.

"At the beginning of the summer we were looking at ways of raising money, but now we are happy with Xabi, he is a very good player.

"The offer we had was not good enough, so why would we want to sell him?"

Benitez also revealed that Stoke City had made an offer fro veteran Reds centre-back Sami Hyypia.

He added: "We have had an approach from Stoke about Sami, but we want to keep him.

"When we talked about a new contract in the summer, it was clear that Sami wanted to stay at the club.

"He is a fantastic professional, a very nice person and a great player. He is not a player we want to sell."