Rafael Benitez says he could yet sell Xabi Alonso
despite the player being a big hit with the Liverpool
faithful.
The Liverpool boss has one eye on the continued pursuit of Aston
Villa’s Gareth Barry, and the Spanish playmaker may have to go
with the big price that is currently around the
England player's neck.
Barry’s name was not chanted with love by the Anfield crowd
during the 1-0 friendly win against Lazio on Friday, and Benitez
remains unmoved.
"We knew Alonso was a very good player and as a result he had a
good price [on his head]. We had offers, but they were not enough
so we decided he needed to stay with us,” Benitez said.
"It could be that he does stay with us. For me it is not a
problem if he stays or not. He can stay, we always have felt he is
a good player.
"We are only talking about a very, very good price. He is a good
player, if he is not going to bring a good price then it is very
simple, easy to understand.
"I heard the crowd, obviously. We know now, as we knew before,
that he could stay with us."
Benitez has not received the financial backing from the club’s
American owners for the £18 million fee needed to recruit Barry and
the former Valencia boss is frustrated.
"It is not positive that we may not have the players we want
here before the Champions League game [Standard Liege],” added
Benitez.
“But the transfer window closes at the end of August, we will
try to do our best to bring in the players to improve us by
then.”