Alonso owes us another season; Xabi should repay fans.

IAM disappointed with Xabi Alonso deciding to leave Liverpool, if reports are correct.

He has had magnificent support from the fans from day one. When he looked to be being pushed out the door the Liverpool fans stood firmly behind him, singing his name continually in last year's pre season match at Anfield. The Liverpool fans have always backed Xabi and given him great support.

I feel Xabi owes us a minimum of one more season to see if he could help us get the league title back, he knows how much we want it, where is the loyalty these days? If I was Rafa, I would stand firm and tell Madrid to cough up pounds 35 million or go away.

Xabi signed a contract in which he agreed to be at Liverpool for at least another three years, why sign it and then get off and leave us with a hole to fill at this point in the summer? On the pitch I have loved watching Alonso, I will be gutted if he leaves us.

Caging Red, Liverpool

ALONSO has provided five years of service to LFC.

It was inevitable that he would return to Spain, as it is what all the Spanish players are inclined to do.

I would prefer if he gave the club one more year, as we are so close and maybe he will. If not all the best to him, Rafa is managing it in the best way possible, and hopefully when Alonso returns from his break, he can be talked into staying.

If not Madrid have a host of players that are surplus to their requirements, and some of them are excellent, we should bend them over a barrel and ensure that we get the best possible deal out of this possible transfer.

Catherine Batt, Liverpool

I AM disappointed by Alonso.

What went on with Rafa was last year that was dealt with and he had a fantastic season with us but as soon as Real come in that is it.

But you win some you lose some. I personally believe we would have more trouble replacing Mascherano than Alonso because of Mascherano''s speed, work ethic and pure aggressiveness, there are players I can think of that we can replace Alonso with like D''Agostino, Inler, Cambiasso, Martinez to name a few.

All I want to see now is Rafa get every single penny possible out of Real to enable us to replace Alonso.

I appreciate Alonso''s contribution to LFC and do wish him the best but no player is bigger than the club and we can with money replace him, unlike indispensable players like Torres, Gerrard and even Kuyt to an extent.

Redsfanforeva, Liverpool

IT is a welcome change to hear that Rafa intends to go on the offensive.

The last third of the season the club was scoring bucket loads ending with the highest tally but all for nothing when we had lost the title while Man U was away on their Far-East rendezvous after back to back draws against West Ham and Fulham.

Still, the ability to score is refreshing because the hallmarks of a Rafa Benitez side that centres on a mean defence takes away some when the team ventures into the opponents half.

James Pearson, Huyton

In reply to John Cameron 'Manchester' about bickering over Red and Blue shirts and fans, all I can say is he must be colour blind. I work for a top sports company in Liverpool and I can assure you that for Everton shirt that is sold Liverpool will sell eight. It's the same with Man City and Man Utd - and not just here but all over the world.

S Collins, Liverpool JOIN THE DEBATE WRITE to Sports Desk Letters, Liverpool Echo, PO Box 48, Old Hall Street, Liverpool L69 3EB EMAIL us at [e-mail] INTERNET: Share your views on our forums at www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport FAX us on 0151 472 2597

CAPTION(S):

EXIT? Xabi Alonso is reportedly keen to leave Anfield with Real Madrid his chosen destination