Xabi Alonso Refuses To Rule Out Liverpool Return

Real Madrid’s Xabi Alonso has refused to rule out a return to Liverpool in the future, the Spaniard enjoyed a successful spell at Anfield before leaving for Real Madrid.

Alonso was unhappy when then Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez was willing to sell him as he pursued Gareth Barry, which effectively ended Alonso’s Liverpool days but the Spaniard insists that he would never rule out a return to Anfield.

When asked if would ever consider returning to Liverpool, Alonso told Liverpool TV: "Why not?
"I think that in football so many things change, and why not? I have my red passion and if circumstances arrived then why not?

"At the moment I don't know what is going to happen, but it could be a possibility. Never say never."
Alonso, pent five years at Liverpool, but admitted it was a major wrench to leave Anfield and he revealed he still misses the club.

"It was difficult because Liverpool has been and always will be very special," added Alonso. "It is in my heart because I have lived very intense things there.

"I miss lots of things. I miss the lads, I miss the atmosphere at Melwood - it was a great place to work, and the scenario of Anfield is unbeatable.

"The special nights I have been privileged enough to live, those will be in my memory forever and they are difficult to compare anywhere in the world."

Liverpool Appoint First Team Coach

Kenny Dalglish has moved quickly to bring in Steve Clarke as his First Team Coach at Anfield, The Scot was named as temporary manager until the rest of the season after Roy Hodgson was sacked on Saturday.

Kenny has been given to chance to rejuvenate Liverpool’s season after below-par performances so far this campaign, the Reds are currently lying in twelve position in the Premier League and the fans and players are convinced that Kop legend Dalglish is the right man.

"Steve is a great addition to our team and I'm delighted we've been able to bring him in.

"I am looking forward to working with Steve alongside [assistant manager] Sammy Lee and our other staff."

Clarke, who left West Ham by mutual consent in June 2010 when Gianfranco Zola was sacked as manager, Steve was at Liverpool's Melwood training ground on Monday, he was assistant manager at Newcastle and Chelsea previously and has played over 500 senior games for St Mirren and Chelsea.

He left West Ham by mutual consent in June 2010 after Gianfranco Zola was sacked as manager the previous month

Liverpool confirm Gerrard's injury

Gerrard out for four weeks

Liverpool have been dealt with a injury blow that will rule Steven Gerrard out for up to four weeks, the midfielder suffered a hamstring injury last night while playing for England in the 2-1 defeat against France at Wembley. The skipper will have a scan later today, but after an initial assessment by Liverpool's medical team at Melwood training ground. It is thought that their captain will be sidelined for a month.

England and Liverpool had an agreement that Gerrard should only play for an hour, but after Barry was forced to come off and the England manager said he no choice but keep Gerrard on due to lack of senior players on the pitch and with Gerrard playing on longer than expected, he was forced to withdraw when he pulled his hamstring.

Dr Peter Brukner speaking on Liverpool TV said, "Steven injured his hamstring last night. He's just been in for an early assessment here and it certainly looks like a significant hamstring injury.

"He's just heading off for a scan as we speak and we should have the results of that tonight.

"He's going to be out for a little while, I'm afraid. I'd imagine it could be three to four weeks.
"
Fans were disappointed to see Gerrard play 85 minutes of the friendly match after an agreement with the FA was broke, but Dr Brukner remains philosophical about the situation.

"If you put your hand up to play for your country, you've got to accept how long they want you to play for," he said.

"There were obviously circumstances last night which came together to result in Steven playing for a bit longer than we'd hoped, which is disappointing but there's nothing we can do about that now.

"We'll move on and work as hard as we can to get him back playing for Liverpool as soon as possible."

Earlier in the day head of fitness and conditioning Darren Burgess posted a tweet slamming England's behaviour as 'disgraceful'

He also went on to add, "Unbelievable from all associated with England and English FA with regard to Steven Gerrard's injury. Completely ignored agreement and past history.
 
"Completely amateurish and now we pay for their incompetence. Absolutely disgraceful."

When speaking on the agreement with the FA & Liverpool, England manager Fabio Capello added, "We spoke with Steve and he said he would play one hour, but after Barry's injury we had some problems,"

"That was the reason he stayed on the pitch. If it's possible, the players will play the time we agreed with the club. admitted Capello.

"But Barry was really injured so we needed someone senior on the pitch because it was a really young team. He said he was good.

"They [Liverpool] asked that he can play one hour if it's possible. They can't decide how long a player plays with the national team.

"If it's possible, he'd have played an hour. I understand why they're upset and I'm also upset.

"The problem is that, when you play this game on Wednesday after a lot of Premier League, Europa League or Champions League games, it's possible there might be an injury for a player. The Premier League, every time, is a tough league for the players."