Alonso's future up to him now says Benitez

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez has left the ball in Xabi Alonso’s court. The Spanish midfielder’s future has been the subject of much press speculation and the Reds manager, when asked about him, said yesterday: “you have to ask him.”

It was also revealed Benitez had held talks with the 27-year-old, before the game and urged him to spurn Real’s advances and commit his future to the Reds.

Benitez when asked if yesterday’s game was Alonso’s last for the club, the Reds boss said:

“You never know, you have to ask him,” reports the Echo.

“Everyone has been asking me about the same question for two months. I think it’s a question for him, not us.”

“We signed him five years ago and we renewed his contract two years ago.”

“We know that he’s a great player and that’s the reason we signed him and renewed his contract.”

“We were not talking with Real Madrid and he knows our position.”

"I was very clear the other day. He is our player and has three more years on his contract.”

“At the end of the day it all depends on him.”

This interview has been partially quoted by most of the press under headlines like: ‘Benitez casts doubt over Alonso’s future’