Source: Eurosport
Benitez reiterates Alonso stance
Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez on Sunday night insisted he wants Xabi Alonso to stay at Anfield.[LNB] Reports in Spain have indicated Real Madrid are as keen as ever to sign the midfielder.[LNB] But, following Sunday night's 3-0 loss to Espanyol, Benitez said: "He is our player and we want him to stay."[LNB] Benitez saw his side suffer a heavy defeat in a pre-season friendly on Sunday night, as former Chelsea forward Ben Sahar scored twice against a strong Liverpool team, captained by Steven Gerrard.[LNB] Alonso came off the bench for the closing minutes and it remains unclear whether he will start the season with Liverpool.[LNB] Benitez brushed off the setback of losing in a match which was set up to officially open Espanyol's new stadium.[LNB] "Nobody likes losing like that, but it's pre-season so it doesn't matter. I'm not worried about it," he said.[LNB] Asked if Javier Mascherano, who has been linked with Barcelona, will leave, Benitez said: "No."
