Rafa cools Alonso exit talk
09 May 2008 - 10:18:49
Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez has denied reports suggesting he wants to sign Gareth Barry as a replacement for Spanish midfielder Xabi Alonso.
Benitez saw a £10million player-plus-cash offer for the Villa captain rejected by the Midlands club last week.
The Spaniard is expected to renew his interest in the versatile England midfielder during the close season, but he is not looking to offload Alonso to fund the deal.
The 26-year-old joined the Reds from Real Sociedad in 2004 and has been linked with Real Madrid after falling down the pecking order this season.
"He (Alonso) is our player, he has a contract," said Benitez.
"Barry can play in three different positions, so I don't think we need to worry about this."
Meanwhile, Benitez has urged his players to finish their season on a high with a victory over Spurs on Sunday.
"From our point of view it's important to end the season with a win," he told the club's official website.
"With us playing one game a week of late it's easy for me to pick a strong side and that will be the idea this weekend as well.
"We can reach 76 points with a victory and that's not a bad total, although clearly we need more in the future if we want to win the title."