Liverpool Football Club News

• Nickname:Reds
• Founded:1892
• Manager:Kenny Dalglish

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Benitez keen to keep Alonso

23 May 2009 - 10:14:58

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Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez has once again refuted suggestions that Spain international Xabi Alonso is heading out of Anfield this summer.

Recent reports hinted that the midfielder would be playing his last game for the Reds in Sunday's clash with Tottenham before heading to Real Madrid, if Florentino Perez wins the Spanish club's presidential election next month.

Alonso was linked with a move to Juventus last summer when Benitez was chasing Aston Villa midfielder Gareth Barry.

However, the former Valencia boss insists: "It is very clear. Xabi has three years left on his contract and we don't want to sell him."

On players linked with a summer switch to Anfield, Benitez added: "When you know your targets and then you read things, you can say, 'they have no idea'.

"I don't waste too much time on this. We have already had about 90 Spanish players linked with us. On Friday there were three names we do not even know.

"We have some money, not big money. But for me now it is not about how much, but how good they are for us."