Benitez quick to fill Alonso void.Byline: Mark Langdon LIVERPOOL moved quickly yesterday to replace Xabi Alonso Xabier Alonso Olano, commonly known as Xabi (prounounced Shabi) Alonso and often misspelt as Xavi Alonso (born 25 November 1981 in Tolosa, Basque Region, Spain) is a Spanish footballer who plays for Liverpool F.C.. after agreeing a fee, believed to be in the region of pounds 20m, for Roma star Alberto Aquilani Alberto Aquilani born in Rome, Italy (July 7, 1984) is an Italian football midfielder who currently plays for AS Roma. Aquilani is considered one of the most promising football talents in Italy. He highly considers Il Capitano Francesco Totti as a mentor. . The Italian international is not too dissimilar to Alonso in style, although he must prove his fitness having been out since March following surgery on his right ankle. Rafael Benitez was in the market for a new midfielder once the club agreed to sell Alonso to Real Madrid on Tuesday. Alonso passed his medical yesterday as the big-spending Spanish giants ended their amazing summer transfer frenzy. Over pounds 200m worth of talent has arrived at the Bernabeu to a club who are now 5-1 jointfavourites with Barcelona to win the Champions League on their own patch this season. "We understood Xabi Alonso was an important player to complete our squad, and it was worth Real Madrid fighting for him," said director general Jorge Valdano. "The club needed a shake-up. Some very good players have come in to strengthen every position and the fans are very excited. Betfred boss Fred Done believes the loss of Alonso will damage the Reds in their bid to end 20 years of title pain at Anfield. Done, a Manchester United fan, said: "Alonso leaving is a big blow for Liverpool and that's why yet again I am very happy taking money off their supporters. However, United were dealt their own problems yesterday, when it was confirmed goalie Edwin van der Sar Edwin van der Sar (born 29 October 1970 in Voorhout) is a Dutch professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper. He is captain of the Dutch national team and plays club football for Manchester United in the English Premier League. would miss the first two months of the campaign due to a broken finger injury. Ben Foster is set to stand in and he is 2-5 with Paddy Power to make England's World Cup squad and 7-4 to miss out. Across Manchester, Mark Hughes This article is about the Welsh footballer. For other people with the same name, see Mark Hughes (disambiguation). Leslie Mark Hughes OBE (born November 1, 1963 in Ruabon, Wrexham, Wales), nicknamed Sparky is gearing up for the new Premier League season and he must be excited after bringing a host of internationals to Eastlands. However, that brings its own pressure and Ladbrokes are betting on which month Sparky spark·y adj. spark·i·er, spark·i·est Animated; lively. spark  i·ly adv. leaves his post at City. The Citizens boss is 4-5 to
survive the term, but 50-1 to depart in August and 25-1 for a September
exit. The shortestpriced month is December at 8-1. Striker Darren Bent Darren Ashley Bent (born February 6, 1984 in Tooting, London) is an English footballer of Jamaican descent, currently playing for Tottenham Hotspur.There is some confusion over Bent's birthplace with nearly all biographies available - typically of a brief nature - saying completed his move from Tottenham to Sunderland, while Reading have signed centre-back Matthew Mills from Doncaster. Betfred - X Alonso La Liga goals: 4-5 under 3.5, 10-11 over 3.5. Boylesports - A Aquilani Premier League goals: 5-6 under 2.5, 5-6 over 2.5; Alonso's La Liga goals: 8-13 under 4.5, 6-5 over 4.5; Alonso to score on debut: 1-6 no no, 7-2 yes; to score most La Liga goals: 4-6 Xavi, 15-8 Alonso, 9-2 tie. Ladbrokes - three teams to be relegated: 4 Burnley-Birmingham-Hull, 5 Burnley-BirmWolves, 11-2 Burnley-Hull-Wolves, 6 Birm-HullWolves, 9 Burnley-Portsmouth-Hull, 14 bar; month M Hughes leaves Man City: 50 August, 25 September, 14 October, 12 November, 8 December, 9 January, 14 February, 16 March, April, May, 4-5 Hughes to still be in charge on final day; number of Premier League clubs to end the season with same manager: 66 20, 8 18 or 19, 9-4 16 or 17, 6-4 14 or 15, 7-2 12 or 13, 7 10 or 11, 16 nine or less. Paddy Power - B Foster to be in England's World Cup squad: 2-5 yes, 9-4 no; clean sheets for Man Utd in Premier League until end of September (seven games): 20 none, 10 one, 4 two, 5-2 three, four, 4 five, 10 six, 18 seven. CAPTION(S): Xabi Alonso completed his long-awaited move from Liverpool to Real Madrid yesterday |
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