Alonso not for sale

Asked about the rumours linking midfielder Xabi Alonso (26) with a summer move to Barcelona (read more here), Liverpool manager Rafael Benítez told the press that the player, although not playing a lot lately, stays an important part of the squad and is not for sale.

Benítez revealed he talked with Alonso’s agent last week and that Liverpool made clear they don’t want the Spanish international to leave at the end of the season: “He has signed a new contract only recently. To us, he’s a key player for the future.”