Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez insists Xabi Alonso is an indispensable part of a squad which he believes is within touching distance of greatness.
The Reds boss has named the Spain midfielder alongside the likes of Steven Gerrard, Jose Reina and Fernando Torres as one of the key components of his future plans.
"We are working very hard to keep the spine of the team - that was always the idea," Benitez told LFC Magazine.
Benitez's side last season came up just short in their pursuit of a first top-flight title since 1990, although a points tally of 86 marked their best effort of the Premier League era.
However, the Reds chief insists that with the addition of some fresh talent, they can overhaul bitter rivals Manchester United at the top. And despite repeated speculation linking Alonso with big spenders Real Madrid, Benitez insists his compatriot will not be allowed to leave Anfield.
He added: "We have Pepe Reina as the number one goalkeeper with Diego Cavalieri behind him, another good goalkeeper. Then we have (Martin) Skrtel, (Jamie) Carragher and (Daniel) Agger - three good centre-backs.
"Then you go to the midfield with Alonso, (Javier) Mascherano, Lucas and Gerrard, with Torres up front and (David) Ngog, who is a very good prospect. We have a good squad that is still young, so hopefully we can improve further. We know we still need to improve in some specific areas. We will be working very hard to do that over the summer."
Liverpool's long-term planning has been hampered by question marks over the financial straits of owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett. With the American duo and, therefore, the club struggling to cope with crippling interest payments on their massive debt, it has been suggested that any lofty ambitions might have to be shelved.
Striker Torres is, however, having none of it and has backed his team-mates to overtake Barcelona as Europe's top side.
"Our aim has to be the best. If we have no desire to be the best in England and in Europe then there is no point even turning up for work," the Spaniard said. "I don't say it lightly, but we must think we can be as good or even better than (Champions League winners) Barcelona. "It's the belief of everybody at this club that we can become the best and I think we have really moved forward in the last two seasons."
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please dont sell alonso what class got everything a midfialder should have.mhy sell him to replace him it just caunt be done 24 red throw and throw sute's the way we play rather half of him than 2 stuck up ronaldo's.be the worse think rafa could ever do.trut me
Barry did not sign for ONE REASON ONLY, HE DID NOT WANT HIS FOOTBALL LIFE TO GO INTO DECLINE AT HIS AGE.
Raffa cant keep an eye on himself hows he going to watch Alonso, mark my words Alonso will sign for Madrid, The @#$% from Argentina will go to Barca, the rest well who knows, makes very little diffeerence as you wont will the title in the next 5 years.
offload lucas, dosenna, babel n buy 1 good quality player..
you can say what you want but fact is he will have to sell and its only a about 4 players worth any money ,,masch alonso gerrard and torres ,thats it the rest average championship players ,, pepi not bad but not great average ,, but the money is in those 4 ,,, will they be sold ,,its up to the owners who want money fast
So he's as good as gone then !! Cant say i blame him really after being touted around last year as a make weight in the Barry malarky. I'd want out of a job too if i wasn't wanted by the boss ! Now all of a sudden Benitez says he's going nowhere... Yeah right, only cos we missed out on Barry. Rafa, you cant treat players like sh,1,t and expect them to carry on regardless..
Keep Alonso and cash in on Lucas,Vornin,Babel,and dossena.
But im sure the closset liverpool fan mmoosssseeeee as got something to say on this.
Keep him at all cost.
i wouldnt blame alonso if he wanted to leave after rafa was willing to sell him so he could get barry last season, god forbid he has a bad season then he'll be up for sale again
I think another striker is required Liverpool relie on Torres to much and Gerrard scores to many goals for a midfielder its unreal always a good 30 yarder as well. Liverpool need to keep Alonso one of the best passers in the world never seems to give the ball away and he has vision. Was'nt he going to sell Alonso last year?
liverpool u r in CRISISSSSSSSSSSSSSS, U HAVE TO BUY FAB PLAYERS AND QUICKKKKKKKKKKKKKKK, FOR ATTACK GET FORLAN, TEVEZ,HENRY,ETO`O or van persie 1 o them will chamge the impact of the diffuculty in the prem league, come on redssssssssssssssss
YNWA LIVERPOOL FC AS HARD AS HELLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL
come on benitez , you should sell lucas and dossena to buy aleast one player , just one good striker such torres...we know whats liv problem .. it doesnt mean you cannot buy a new player .. think of it
Glen Johnson, David Silva, Thierry Henry. Get these 3 and the title will be ours next year...
My Manager all the above lads you've named above are OK but Lucas.With the financial digrace our owners have put us in,sell Lucas,Dossena and the others who we fans all know and get Lahm,Aguero,Villa and not Forlan as he is aged already.Next year we are sure of at least a Triple
Go for Forlan? Sorry Villa Real dont take monopoly money, more likely be selling Alonso & Torres to Real Madrid and Gerrard to Man City, Michael Owen might be available if you can afford the wages.
unlees barry went there ,fickle tossers
XABI ALONSO every liverpool fan out there loves you,the perss might push u out the liverpool door with there ball*x, but at d end of the day we love you,hope u never leave us
David Ngog has got a looong way to go before you could say he's indespensible, certainly not in the class of ALONSO, you need better backup for torres and gerrard then Ngog...Go for FORLAN, or AGUERO, or ETO, VILLA, a proven striker is required...not a rookie..
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