Stefano

I think he'll be looking at it a lot more practically than the rest of us, and will only sell if the money on offer can be put to better use. I'm torn myself on whether it can.

There wouldn't be a huge change in style, Aqualini is used to playing more disciplined roles in Italy. The main issue would be how he adjusted to the pace and physical nature of our game. He won't be ready anyway, so if Alonso goes it looks like we'll be starting the season with George Lucas.

Other than sign Johnson quickly and effectively and get one of his main targets sewn up in June? I'm sure Rafa realises how difficult the transfer market can be, but Parry's lack of assertiveness made it impossible at times.

I meant about Aqua man being a genuine target. Parry was useless mind.

To be honest, if that's as far as we've got, we need to cut and run now.

I'm not sure myself.

I've always felt he'd stay and Rafa would price him out of a move. I think once Barry went to City he knew he was stuck and unless Madrid offered mega bucks it's just not worth the hassle selling him. He has to make it look like he gave Alonso every opportunity though, while pissing Perez off, who is all about ego and control. If I'm wrong, any deal has to be done in the next couple of days or we risk messing up our preparations. If Aqualini is a genuine target he won't be ready anyway but I'd like to see the rest in before the first game.

True. There's other reports that Purslow reiterated that we won't accept a penny less than 35 million euros plus add ons and that's why negotiations were cut short. I don't think they'll pay it, but we have to set a deadlines sooner rather than later.

Can you feel the love...

http://www.sport.es/default.asp?idpublicac...idseccio_PK=805 Take it with a pinch of salt but that's saying we've agreed a deal for 27 million upfront, with 2 million in add ons.

That had crossed my mind. This Aqualini link sounds far too random.

Hard to say. I don't think Silva is coming but he would be absolutely perfect for us, and while Aqualini is a great talent his injury record is a big concern and probably why he's surplus to requirements...and he's not Alonso. If last nights performance is anything to go by we need to clone him as our passing was dreadful. Lucas is ok but not assertive enough. We also need a good striker.

Kay or Barrett haven't told us anything we didn't already know. Until Madrid pay our valuation, which doesn't seem likely, it won't happen, which I'm sure Rafa would be happy with. It's important that if a deal does go through they pay us every penny upfront so Rafa can quickly spend it. None of this installments nonsense.

BENITEZ REITERATES ALONSO STANCE Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez insists he wants Xabi Alonso to stay at Anfield. Reports in Spain have indicated Real Madrid are as keen as ever to sign the midfielder. But Benitez said on Sunday night: "He is our player and we want him to stay." Benitez saw his side suffer a 3-0 defeat to Espanyol 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. Alonso came off the bench for the closing minutes and it remains unclear whether he will start the season with Liverpool. Benitez brushed off the setback of losing in a match which was set up to officially open Espanyol's new stadium. "Nobody likes losing like that, but it's pre-season so it doesn't matter. I'm not worried about it," he said. Asked if Javier Mascherano, who has been linked with Barcelona, will leave, Benitez said: "No." http://www.sportinglife.com/football/news/...p;TEAMHD=soccer

I don't think he is, and have a suspicion that Rafa is desperate to keep hold of him. Whatever they offer is not enough to weaken the strongest area of our team.

Keep him. He's too important.

On a positive note, naive defending from the young lad apart, we looked pretty good in the first half and like we're getting up to speed. Add Agger and Skirtel to the defensive ranks and Torres firing and we'll be alright. It's just the squad depth that concerns me as ultimately that's what wins you the league these days.

Where's Darby? Surely to god he's better than Degen. I know he's not a fashionable maurading full back but he's very solid and focused with his defending.

In a nutshell. Performance and result mean nothing but you're looking for the right attitude and application at this stage, and the majority of fringe players were sloppy and just went through the motions.

No chance. If Torres gets inured it will have to be Kuyt, unless we bring in another striker. Rafa should be pushing for Negredo or another as part of the Alonso deal.

Torres was grim tonight but you know he'll turn it on when it matters, but outside of him we are severely lacking in depth and quality up front. Babel will never make it as he just doesn't have the heart.

Torres was woeful tonight but you know he's class so there's no concerns there, but after him we are massively lacking in that position. Babel will never make it, he doesn't have the heart.

It's not about the performance for me, just the general application, and second half it's been very poor and amatuerish. Some of these lads should be fighting to impress.

Ngog is all legs and arms, he makes the most simple passes look ridiculously hard to control.

All over the shop.