Alonso indicates he will stay

Fans waved banners and chanted for Alonso to remain with Liverpool at a training session ahead of Liverpool's friendly against Singapore. A group of 21 fans lined up in the stands wearing shirts that spelled out, 'Xabi, please don't leave' in Spanish.

Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez is determined no big names will be leaving Anfield this summer and the Kop boss reaffirmed this again on Friday night.

"I told him that he could hear the fans yesterday," Benitez said. "I said to him, 'Maybe you have to stay."'

"Clearly, my idea is he's a very good player and we'll be really pleased if he stays. All the players and his team-mates want him to stay. If we keep Xabi I will be very pleased," reports the Telegraph.

Alonso himself who’s answers to questions about his future have been non committal, gave the strongest indication yet that he is ready to reject Madrid's advances and remain a Liverpool player. Speaking alongside Kenny Dalglish at an Adidas coaching clinic held at Victoria Junior College in Singapore Alonso admitted he and his team mates will have to reach the 90 point mark next season if they are to have any chance of winning the Premier League.

Liverpool picked up 86 points last campaign - a club record – but the Reds still finished four points adrift of Manchester United.

Alonso believes the club has the belief to win the Premiership and his answer suggested he wants to play a part in making history on Merseyside.

“It is very difficult to win the Premier League but if we do things better than last season then we will have a good chance,” reports the Post.

“We did really well against the top four teams last season but we drew too many games at home against other clubs which meant we weren’t in a strong position going into the last few matches."
“At the start of last season we wanted to progress and we did that."

“We were not able to win it but we went a lot closer than in previous seasons."

“This season we have to be looking to get up to 90 points."

“If we’re able to continue to progress then we will have a good chance. We certainly have the belief.”

Speaking about the Far East tour for the club the Spanish midfielder admitted he’s amazed by the passion of the supporters.

“It’s brilliant to see they are developing football in this country,” Alonso said.

“It’s been amazing for us to come to a place like this which is so far away from Liverpool and feel the support they have for the club."

“The supporters here are just as passionate as they are in Liverpool.”


Get Daily Liverpool FC news at http://www.lfcalert.com/