Real Madrid officials are working to avoid Alonso having to
travel with Liverpool for games in Thailand and Singapore next
week, and it is believed negotiations are continuing over a likely
£30million transfer.
But for Gerrard, the desire for glory with Liverpool and England
burns as brightly as ever. Gerrard has made it clear that he wants
the Barclays Premier League title, another Champions League success
and a World Cup victory with England before he considers coaching
and management at the end of his career.
"I still have many more dreams, and that means winning the
Premier League because that is the only medal that is missing from
my own personal collection," he told UEFA's official website.
"And it would be really nice to go to a tournament with England
and to be successful, so that means the World Cup next summer for
me.
"I want to go one better than a quarter-final, which is the
farthest so far that I have gone in a tournament. "It's the last
four and the final that I now am aiming for. And I want another
success in the Champions League too.
"People could see my reaction when I lifted that trophy in 2005,
how much it means to me, my team-mates and the supporters. That was
the best night of my career and I want to match it and experience
that success again."
Once his playing career ends - and he has intimated that his
current contract taking him to 33 will be his last - Gerrard
already has plans to remain occupied.
He said: "Now I am thinking about what I will do at the end of
my career, I'm not getting any younger.
"It would be nice to stay involved in the game. I'm not sure at
what level as either a manager or a coach or even going into the
media. I want to stay involved because football is so important to
me."
Gerrard's partnership with Alonso at the heart of Liverpool's
side, however, looks to be over. With Alonso having made it clear
to manager Rafael Benitez that he wants to leave the club, the
Spanish manager has been determined to get the very best price for
the 27-year-old.
The end of the agreement this weekend with Alonso's former club
Real Sociedad that would have seen 20% of any sell-on fee going to
the Basque club gives Liverpool and Madrid some negotiating
room.
Holland midfielder Wesley Sneijder is now being linked in a
player-plus-cash compromise. Benitez could also use the Alonso fee
to buy Valencia's attacking midfielder David Silva.
Benitez has other targets, and has again been linked with Roma
midfielder Alberto Aquilani, despite the player's agent ruling out
a move earlier in the week.
Roma coach Luciano Spalletti said: "We need to be open and
listen to any type of offers that are proposed to us."
Roma director Bruno Conti added: "The situation as it is right
now is that Aquilani will remain until there is a club that makes
an offer."
Javier Mascherano, a target for Barcelona, rejoined the
Liverpool squad last night and will be involved against Vienna. He
has held talks with Benitez and been told he will not be sold.
Liverpool are about to announce the signing of one new player,
16-year-old Danish midfielder Nikolaj Kohlert from Esbjergs.
The player and his agent Allan Nielsen have been in talks today
in Liverpool. Nielsen said earlier: "The only thing remaining is
the personal contract.
"I see no immediate problems in the clubs agreeing. This is a
fantastic opportunity for a 16-year-old and he is ready both as a
person and as a footballer. He will probably start in the academy
on a scholarship before he turns 17.
"After that it will be the reserve team and then he will get a
professional contract for three years with an additional option for
Liverpool.
"It is a really good contract. All that's remaining now is to
get the details in place."