[lfc-news] Alonso out for season - Post

Liverpool Daily Post, 25 Jan 2005
Alonso out for season - Benitez
By David Prior Daily Post Staff

RAFAEL BENITEZ last night admitted Xabi Alonso is unlikely to play again
this season.

The influential midfielder had originally been ruled out for just six
weeks after breaking his left ankle in the New Year's Day clash against
Chelsea, although that was subsequently extended to three months when it
was determined that Alonso needed a screw inserting.

However, manager Benitez has now conceded that it will be a bonus if
Alonso is fit to assist in Liverpool's Premiership run-in or even the
late stages of the Champions League, but that he is resigned to doing
without the £10.5million playmaker until next season.

He said: "In my mind now I think that Xabi will not play again this season.

"After three months, you don't know, some players can come straight back
but some players take a lot of time.

"If Xabi comes back it will be a bonus."

The news is a further setback as Liverpool seek to end their depressing
run of form by sealing a Carling Cup place at the expense of Watford
tonight.

The Anfield club take at 1-0 lead into what is likely to be a
highlycharged semi-final second-leg atmosphere at Vicarage Road tonight.

Of more immediate disappointment to Benitez is the hip injury to Sami
Hyypia that will mean Jamie Carragher returning to central defence
alongside Mauricio Pellegrino.

Benitez is hopeful that Steve Finnan and Josemi will have recovered from
hamstring injuries to be available, with Djimi Traore and John-Arne
Riise the other alternatives at full-back.

Despite being hampered by a groin problem at the St Mary's Stadium,
Steven Gerrard will be available as Liverpool look to hit back after the
welter of criticism that has come their way since last week's FA Cup
exit at Burnley and then the dispiriting loss on the south coast at the
weekend.

Two players who have come in for particular blame have been new arrivals
Pellegrino and Luis Garcia, but Benitez was standing by them yesterday.

He said: "Pellegrino and Morientes have been five months without playing
regularly and they need time. He's a good player, a winner with a strong
mentality.

"He's working very, very hard and I am sure he will bring more things to us.

"Luis Garcia is a very skilful and intelligent player. He needs to use
his qualities more and it is different for him playing here than what he
was used to in Spain.

"He has played very well at home for us and that shows he can do it. He
needs to learn how to adapt to play away but he is a very good player
who scores goals.

"Robert Pires wasn't great in his first season at Arsenal but look at
him now. It is only a matter of time with Luis."

Meanwhile Stephane Henchoz's agent has urged clubs wanting to sign the
out-of-favour Swiss international to move swiftly. Henchoz does not
figure in Benitez's plans and is resigned to a move away from Anfield.

Celtic are the latest side to show an interest in the 30-year-old
central defender.

But with just over a week to go before the January transfer window left
Henchoz's agent Jorg Vonmatt knows time is running out for the player,
whose contract at Anfield runs out in the summer.

Vonmatt said of Celtic's interest: "If they are really serious, they
need to move quickly as there are other clubs that we have held
discussions with in much more detail.

"The window closes next week so we can't afford to wait a long time
before making a decision.

"Stephane wants to get his future sorted out by the start of the week."

Celtic's Glasgow rivals Rangers, Bolton, Southampton and Everton have
all been linked with the defender, who was one of former manager Gerard
Houllier's signings during the summer of 1999, when he joined Liverpool
from Blackburn Rovers.


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