Real Madrid Star Xabi Alonso Predicts Bright Liverpool Future

7 comments by Jack Atchinson on April 4th, 2011

Bernabeu hero is still an Anfield fan and expects club to return to its former glories.

Giggs predicts strong showing from Liverpool

Manchester United’s Ryan Giggs will not be taking Liverpool lightly ahead of Sunday’s blockbuster FA Cup clash.

Liverpool have struggled in all competitions this season and are 12th on the Premier League table, just four points above the relegation zone.

But the Welsh winger believes that in a one-off cup tie, Liverpool’s form is irrelevant.

“First and foremost, form goes out the window when you play in the FA Cup,” Giggs said.

“Liverpool will probably see it as a break from the League, a break from the pressures of their league form at the moment and their chance to get their season back on track.”

“You take no notice of how teams are doing, whether it’s a derby or your biggest rivals, form goes out the window. It’s a one-off game like I say, one bad decision or bit of luck and you’re out of the Cup.”

“They’ve got world class players, Gerrard, Torres, Pepe Reina in their team – all world-class players so when you’re up against a team with players like that then you don’t take any team lightly.”

While Manchester City and Leeds United are strong rivals of the Old Trafford outfit, Giggs admits there is something special about this rivalry.

“I think it’s just the history that’s there between the two teams. The two most successful teams in England,” he said.

“When I was growing up Liverpool were winning everything. Over the last 15-20 years obviously we’ve been winning the majority of Leagues and Cups so there’s that history and rivalry. They’re half an hour away. They’re both great teams with great traditions.”

Giggs says ‘you can’t beat’ the feeling of lifting the FA Cup at Wembley and is hoping his side can reverse last year’s shock third round exit at the hands of Leeds at Old Trafford.

Sat 8 January, 2011

Giggs predicts strong showing from Liverpool

Manchester United’s Ryan Giggs will not be taking Liverpool lightly ahead of Sunday’s blockbuster FA Cup clash.

Liverpool have struggled in all competitions this season and are 12th on the Premier League table, just four points above the relegation zone.

But the Welsh winger believes that in a one-off cup tie, Liverpool’s form is irrelevant.

“First and foremost, form goes out the window when you play in the FA Cup,” Giggs said.

“Liverpool will probably see it as a break from the League, a break from the pressures of their league form at the moment and their chance to get their season back on track.”

“You take no notice of how teams are doing, whether it’s a derby or your biggest rivals, form goes out the window. It’s a one-off game like I say, one bad decision or bit of luck and you’re out of the Cup.”

“They’ve got world class players, Gerrard, Torres, Pepe Reina in their team – all world-class players so when you’re up against a team with players like that then you don’t take any team lightly.”

While Manchester City and Leeds United are strong rivals of the Old Trafford outfit, Giggs admits there is something special about this rivalry.

“I think it’s just the history that’s there between the two teams. The two most successful teams in England,” he said.

“When I was growing up Liverpool were winning everything. Over the last 15-20 years obviously we’ve been winning the majority of Leagues and Cups so there’s that history and rivalry. They’re half an hour away. They’re both great teams with great traditions.”

Giggs says ‘you can’t beat’ the feeling of lifting the FA Cup at Wembley and is hoping his side can reverse last year’s shock third round exit at the hands of Leeds at Old Trafford.

Sat 8 January, 2011

Alves predicts better Barca

Dani Alves believes Barcelona’s blistering form so far this season is just the beginning and claims they can be even better in 2011.

The defending champions top the La Liga table by two points going into the Spanish winter break and have proven almost unstoppable as they go in search of a third consecutive La Liga title.

After thrashing local rivals Espanyol 5-1 in the Catalan derby on Saturday, Brazil full-back Alves insists the best is yet to come.

“This team has no ceiling to its improvement,” Alves said.

“We’ve been showing on the pitch how we’ve got better. We found it hard to finish games off at the start of the season. Now we are on a great run, though we have to keep our feet on the ground.”

“There’s no harm in dreaming and with this team anything is possible. We are on the right track to being able to compete and nothing is going to distract us. With Barca, nothing is impossible.”

“We have to keep up our habits of hard work and humility. Now we have a break coming up and we can fill up our tanks to get through the next six months.”

“It’s down to all of us, both when we attack and we defend. We are all prepared to make a special effort. The squad is an example of how to work together. This is a collective game and we all need each other.”

Before going on a well-earned Christmas break, Barcelona welcome Athletic Bilbao to the Camp Nou for the first leg of their round of 16 match in the Copa del Rey.

“It’s a tough tie,” Alves said.

“There are two games and everything won’t end on Tuesday, there’s still a second game to come and we are just looking to play well.”

Bilbao will be without Spain international and World Cup winner Fernando Llorente – reportedly a target for Real Madrid – but Alves believes their opponents will still pose a considerable threat, even without the highly rated front-man.

“He’s an important and vital player for them, but Bilbao are much more than just him,” he said.

Mon 20 December, 2010

Alves predicts better Barca

Dani Alves believes Barcelona’s blistering form so far this season is just the beginning and claims they can be even better in 2011.

The defending champions top the La Liga table by two points going into the Spanish winter break and have proven almost unstoppable as they go in search of a third consecutive La Liga title.

After thrashing local rivals Espanyol 5-1 in the Catalan derby on Saturday, Brazil full-back Alves insists the best is yet to come.

“This team has no ceiling to its improvement,” Alves said.

“We’ve been showing on the pitch how we’ve got better. We found it hard to finish games off at the start of the season. Now we are on a great run, though we have to keep our feet on the ground.”

“There’s no harm in dreaming and with this team anything is possible. We are on the right track to being able to compete and nothing is going to distract us. With Barca, nothing is impossible.”

“We have to keep up our habits of hard work and humility. Now we have a break coming up and we can fill up our tanks to get through the next six months.”

“It’s down to all of us, both when we attack and we defend. We are all prepared to make a special effort. The squad is an example of how to work together. This is a collective game and we all need each other.”

Before going on a well-earned Christmas break, Barcelona welcome Athletic Bilbao to the Camp Nou for the first leg of their round of 16 match in the Copa del Rey.

“It’s a tough tie,” Alves said.

“There are two games and everything won’t end on Tuesday, there’s still a second game to come and we are just looking to play well.”

Bilbao will be without Spain international and World Cup winner Fernando Llorente – reportedly a target for Real Madrid – but Alves believes their opponents will still pose a considerable threat, even without the highly rated front-man.

“He’s an important and vital player for them, but Bilbao are much more than just him,” he said.

Mon 20 December, 2010