Xabi Alonso's future is threatening to overshadow Liverpool's pre-season build up for the second successive summer.
However, the circumstances now compared to a year ago are very different.
In 2008 Alonso was left feeling unwanted and let down by Rafa Benitez's willingness to sell him in order to finance the purchase of Gareth Barry.
His situation commanded sympathy from the majority of Reds fans who felt he had been unfairly treated.
Fast forward 12 months and the ongoing uncertainty over where he will be playing his football next season is all of his own making.
Real Madrid have been openly courting the midfielder but Liverpool have made it abundantly clear he is not for sale.
As for Alonso, he has repeatedly refused to come out and publicly state his own intentions.
In fact the 27-year-old has been doing so much fence sitting in recent weeks that he's in danger of getting some nasty splinters.
When pressed about his future on his return to Spain after the end of the Confederations Cup, he said: “It is always positive when various teams are said to want you because that is better than nobody being interested.
"I will be able to decide what happens next whenever it arises.
“I do not think a move to Real Madrid is impossible, but I would also have no regrets at all staying at Liverpool.
"I do miss certain things from Spain. I cannot rule out a move or even staying in the Premier League.”
A game of chess is being played out with Real, who have yet to officially submit a bid, seemingly happy to bide their time.
Benitez is loathe to lose Alonso but admits he can't keep someone who wants to be elsewhere.
If he reluctantly agrees to sell and the price is right then the Reds boss knows letting Alonso go won't be a popular decision.
And if Liverpool are going to do business, Benitez will rightly want Alonso to come out and admit he wants a transfer.
However, there appears to be little sign that the player, who has three years left on his current deal, is prepared to put his cards on the table.
Of course, there will be plenty of fans who feel Alonso is well within his rights to act like he is after the way he was treated last summer.
But that argument just doesn't add up. The reason Liverpool were willing to sell Alonso last summer was because during the 2007/8 campaign his form had dipped alarmingly.
Yes, he angered Benitez by his decision to miss the Champions League game against Inter Milan in March 2008 to attend the birth of his son.
But the decision to consider selling him wasn’t down to some petty grudge.
Alonso only played 27 out of 59 competitive matches that campaign and didn't look like the player whose slick passing had endeared him to Reds fans since his arrival in the summer of 2004.
He had lost his way and if anything last summer's saga gave him the kick up the backside he needed to get his career back on track.
His response was professional and emphatic as last season he was key to the Reds' sustained title challenge and a strong contender for the club’s Player of the Year accolade.
Losing Alonso would undoubtedly be a major blow but the most important thing now is that the issue is resolved as soon as possible.
Madrid are clearly happy for it to drag on hoping Liverpool will drop their asking price but time is not on the Reds’ side. Even if he goes for £30million, finding a replacement will be no easy task.
Alonso’s place in the club’s history books is secured and if he does want a new challenge then he should do the decent thing and come out and say so.
Another Reds player hardly covering himself in glory at the moment is Barcelona target Javier Mascherano, who has refused to distance himself with a move to Spain.
He said: "I am very proud and thankful for the interest from Barcelona and Real Madrid. It's good for me to have these two teams interested in me.”
Mascherano needs to remember two things. Who rescued him from the obscurity of West Ham Reserves two years ago? And who allowed him to fulfill his Olympic dream at a crucial stage of last season?
However, the circumstances now compared to a year ago are very different.
In 2008 Alonso was left feeling unwanted and let down by Rafa Benitez's willingness to sell him in order to finance the purchase of Gareth Barry.
His situation commanded sympathy from the majority of Reds fans who felt he had been unfairly treated.
Fast forward 12 months and the ongoing uncertainty over where he will be playing his football next season is all of his own making.
Real Madrid have been openly courting the midfielder but Liverpool have made it abundantly clear he is not for sale.
As for Alonso, he has repeatedly refused to come out and publicly state his own intentions.
In fact the 27-year-old has been doing so much fence sitting in recent weeks that he's in danger of getting some nasty splinters.
When pressed about his future on his return to Spain after the end of the Confederations Cup, he said: “It is always positive when various teams are said to want you because that is better than nobody being interested.
"I will be able to decide what happens next whenever it arises.
“I do not think a move to Real Madrid is impossible, but I would also have no regrets at all staying at Liverpool.
"I do miss certain things from Spain. I cannot rule out a move or even staying in the Premier League.”
A game of chess is being played out with Real, who have yet to officially submit a bid, seemingly happy to bide their time.
Benitez is loathe to lose Alonso but admits he can't keep someone who wants to be elsewhere.
If he reluctantly agrees to sell and the price is right then the Reds boss knows letting Alonso go won't be a popular decision.
And if Liverpool are going to do business, Benitez will rightly want Alonso to come out and admit he wants a transfer.
However, there appears to be little sign that the player, who has three years left on his current deal, is prepared to put his cards on the table.
Of course, there will be plenty of fans who feel Alonso is well within his rights to act like he is after the way he was treated last summer.
But that argument just doesn't add up. The reason Liverpool were willing to sell Alonso last summer was because during the 2007/8 campaign his form had dipped alarmingly.
Yes, he angered Benitez by his decision to miss the Champions League game against Inter Milan in March 2008 to attend the birth of his son.
But the decision to consider selling him wasn’t down to some petty grudge.
Alonso only played 27 out of 59 competitive matches that campaign and didn't look like the player whose slick passing had endeared him to Reds fans since his arrival in the summer of 2004.
He had lost his way and if anything last summer's saga gave him the kick up the backside he needed to get his career back on track.
His response was professional and emphatic as last season he was key to the Reds' sustained title challenge and a strong contender for the club’s Player of the Year accolade.
Losing Alonso would undoubtedly be a major blow but the most important thing now is that the issue is resolved as soon as possible.
Madrid are clearly happy for it to drag on hoping Liverpool will drop their asking price but time is not on the Reds’ side. Even if he goes for £30million, finding a replacement will be no easy task.
Alonso’s place in the club’s history books is secured and if he does want a new challenge then he should do the decent thing and come out and say so.
Another Reds player hardly covering himself in glory at the moment is Barcelona target Javier Mascherano, who has refused to distance himself with a move to Spain.
He said: "I am very proud and thankful for the interest from Barcelona and Real Madrid. It's good for me to have these two teams interested in me.”
Mascherano needs to remember two things. Who rescued him from the obscurity of West Ham Reserves two years ago? And who allowed him to fulfill his Olympic dream at a crucial stage of last season?
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