Late Arsenal Xabi Alonso bid was rejected

Sep 3 2008 by Ian Doyle, Liverpool Daily Post

Xabi Alonso salutes the Kop _320

LIVERPOOL resisted a late move from Arsenal to sign Xabi Alonso before the transfer deadline on Monday night.

The Gunners made contact with Anfield officials to enquire about the availability of the Spain international.

But before any talk of a possible bid could be begin, the Londoners were told the midfielder was not for sale.

Arsenal manager Arsenal Wenger had targeted Alonso to bolster his midfield after both Mathieu Flamini and Aleksandr Hleb departed the Emirates in the summer.

Alonso’s international team-mate Cesc Fabregas had urged the Liverpool man to make the move south, but Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez had no intention of weakening his midfield without any reinforcement lined up.

Alonso is currently with the Spain squad preparing for their forthcoming World Cup qualifiers against Bosnia and Armenia.

Spain will be without Fernando Torres, whose hamstring tear will also rule him out of Liverpool’s home clash with Manchester United on Saturday week.

But Alonso believes the Anfield side can deal with the striker’s absence.

“He is an important player, but we have to work through these situations when players are injured are suspended,” he said. “We have to overcome that and play well in order to obtain good results.”

Another Spaniard, Albert Riera, yesterday expressed his delight that his move from Espanyol to Liverpool had finally gone through.

The 26-year-old ignored interest from other Premier League clubs to sign a four-year deal with Benitez’s side.

And Riera said: “As soon as I knew Liverpool were interested in me I knew there was only one club that I wanted to sign for and thankfully it has now happened.

“I know I will have to work very hard to get into the team because there are a lot of good players here but that is a challenge I am looking forward to.

“It feels really good to be a Liverpool player and I am really happy to be at this club.

“I am looking forward to working with the manager and the players.”

Meanwhile, Philipp Degen stepped up his recovery from a groin injury by playing 45 minutes for the reserves in their opening Barclays Premier Reserve League (North) at Middlesbrough.

The problem has prevented the Swiss right-back from making his Liverpool debut following his free transfer move from Borussia Dortmund this summer.

Liverpool’s Carling Cup third round tie at home to Crewe Alexandra will take place on Tuesday, September 23 with an 8pm kick-off.

And the Premier League clash at Manchester City has been moved back 24 hours to Sunday, October 5 (3pm) due to City’s UEFA Cup commitments.