Soccer-Colossus Hyypia Prepares For Anfield Farewell

Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard has described Sami Hyypia as a colossus as the Finnish defender prepares to end his 10-year stint at Anfield.

The 35-year-old Hyypia will make his 464th appearance for the club against Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday before moving to Bundesliga team Bayer Leverkusen.

"It's difficult to put into words. He's been fantastic for us -- a colossus," Gerrard told Liverpool's website (www.liverpoolfc.tv). He certainly deserves legendary status and he's definitely one of the best players I've ever played with. They're the biggest compliments I can pay Sami."

Hyypia, an instantly recognisable figure at the heart of Liverpool's defence with his towering physique and blonde hair, has become marginalised by the emergence of Martin Skrtel and Daniel Agger as partners for Jamie Carragher.

After winning the Champions League, the UEFA Cup, two FA Cups and two League Cups, but not the Premier League title the club so craves, Hyypia said he was looking forward to a change.

"I am sad to miss that medal but I don't think I have anything to regret," the Finnish international said of Liverpool's near miss in the title race this year.

"Next season it might happen but I only play 10 games and I wouldn't get a medal anyway. I am sadder for the fans that Liverpool haven't won the Premier League than for myself.

"For 10 years I have played in the same league, in the same stadiums and against the same clubs mainly, so now I have a chance to go to Germany which is a good league."

Liverpool FC Fans Will Give Robbie Keane A Warm Reception

Tottenham Hotspur boss Harry Redknapp is confident Liverpool fans will give Robbie Keane a warm reception on his return to Anfield.

Keane, 28, endured six frustrating months at the club he supported as a boy before returning to White Hart Lane during the January transfer window.

Redknapp said: “Liverpool fans are special people as far as football supporters go and I’m sure they will give him a terrific reception.”

The Tottenham boss has also backed Liverpool to be in the thick of the title race again next season.

He said: “To think that they only lost two games and have not won the championship is amazing really.

“I’m sure they’ll come back even stronger next season.”

Rafa Benitez Promises That Liverpool Won't Sell Xabi Alonso

Liverpool will not sell Xabi Alonso this summer, manager Rafa Benitez has assured supporters today, as rumours about the classy midfielder's future refuse to dissipate.

The Basque has been one of Liverpool's outstanding performers this campaign, but continues to be linked with a move away from Merseyside, with Juventus touted as a likely destination. There were also reports earlier in the campaign of a rift between Benitez and Alonso, although that seems to have faded into the background somewhat.

The Reds manager told the club's official website today, "It's very clear - Xabi has three years left and we do not want to sell him."

Alonso has made 46 appearances for the club this season, scoring five goals, with his creativity and perceptive passing helping drive on the more high-profile attacking talents the team possesses.

Liverpool Boss Benitez Plans Meticulous Summer Spending - Kenny Dalglish

Any players that Rafael Benitez targets this summer may be likelier to join Liverpool as the Spaniard's own future, together with those of Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres, have been secured earlier in the year, according to club legend Kenny Dalglish.

The Reds have been linked with a plethora of Premier League stars, and Benitez has already conceded that each penny paid toward his summer signings will have to be money well spent.

Liverpool splashed out in excess of £40 million on Andrea Dossena, Diego Cavalieri, Robbie Keane, and Albert Riera last year, with only the latter bearing fruit, and even then the orchard was not plentiful. Benitez, though, has admitted that such costly errors in the market cannot be repeated.

Aston Villa midfielder Gareth Barry, cash-strapped Valencia's David Silva remains hot property, dynamic Portsmouth full-back Glen Johnson, Spurs winger Aaron Lennon, Bordeaux's Yoann Gourcuff and Heerenveen's Daniel Pranjic have all been reported targets.

Dalglish is quoted by The Telegraph as confirming that Benitez's decision to commit his long-term future at the club could prove influential in any potential dealings.

"Rafa signing his new contract and Gerrard, Torres, Dirk Kuyt and Daniel Agger agreeing to stay is very positive," he explained.

"Sorting Rafa out early will have given him plenty of opportunity to identify the people he wants to bring in and I am sure he is working diligently to do that.

"You want to see people coming in to help build on the season Liverpool have had."

Second Place In The League Should Have Silver Lining For Liverpool

Football dressing room walls are full of motivational catchphrases rubbishing the runner-up.

You know the sort.

“Winning is everything, second is nowhere.”

“Show me a good loser, and I'll show you a loser.”

“You get nothing for finishing second.” etc. etc.

Except in all but one glaring case, you do get something for finishing second.

Win the five matches it takes to get to the FA Cup final, and you're guaranteed a loser's medal.

Miss a penalty kick in a Champions League final and your chief executive can go up first to have a trinket placed around his neck.

Losing League Cup finalists used to receive a commemorative tankard – presumably to drown their sorrows – nowadays they're guaranteed a handsome medallion.

While on the greatest football stage of all, the World Cup, even the third and fourth placed finishers are rewarded with a memento.

In fact every Cup competition in world football recognises the achievement of finishing second . . . except the toughest one.

Advocates of the English Premier League insist it is the hardest and the best football tournament in the world – but the runners-up receive nothing.

After nine-and-a-half months of gruelling action, after 38 matches in the heat of August and the snow of January, after rotating squad resources to the absolute limit – the Premier League runners-up are left with nothing bar the memory of having pushed the champions to the wire.

For Liverpool it's a particularly galling situation.

Beat Spurs on Sunday and they'll have racked up 86 Premier League points this season.

In 12 of their 18 title winning seasons, that would have been enough for the ultimate glory.

The parameters have changed in the era of the big-four.

Since the Champions League has allowed the rich to get richer, you now need totals like 87 points, 89, 91, 95 and 90 to claim the ultimate prize.

Which should make finishing second in the modern era even more meritorious.

But instead, Liverpool have been reduced to scrambling around in the pursuit of records rather than medals.

It does seem to be a curious oversight.

Surely the introduction of runners-up medals would add greater significance to second place.

As soon as a team clinches the title, the teams immediately below are usually involved in a series of dead rubbers.

Introduce a medal and second place may become slightly more highly regarded.

And if a player still believed it was a meaningless bauble, he could always follow the great Neville Southall's lead in 1991.

While his team-mates trooped up the Wembley steps to collect their Zenith Data Systems Cup loser's medals . . . he remained rooted to his goalpost.

“What do I want one of them for?” he muttered. The Premier League agrees.

Rafa Benitez Makes Peace With Sir Alex Ferguson In Letter After Horror Smash

Rafa Benitez has made peace with Sir Alex Ferguson in a private letter.

The pair have been at loggerheads all year, but the Liverpool boss wrote to Fergie after the Manchester United manager’s grandson was badly injured in a car crash.

Benitez, a father of two girls, wrote offering his help while 10-year-old Charlie Ferguson is at Alder Hey Children’s Hospital in Liverpool.

An Anfield insider said: "There is an intense football rivalry between them, but that’s all it is - a football rivalry. Everything that has been said has been designed to gain an edge on the pitch. But when it comes to matters like this, Rafa is a family man who understands exactly what Sir Alex is going through.

"He wants to help any way he can. Rafa knows how difficult it must be, and he feels for a fellow manager who he respects as a person and a family man himself."

Charlie underwent a six-hour operation following the crash in which his mother Nadine, ex-wife of Ferguson’s son Darren, was also hurt earlier this month.

The relationship between Benitez and Ferguson broke down when the Liverpool manager launched an extraordinary attack on his rival at the turn of the year. They have since taken regular verbal swipes at each other.

But the letter will help build bridges and another source said: "Rafa wanted Sir Alex to know that if he or his family needed anything while the youngster was in Liverpool, they only had to ask."

Benitez Has Creative Winger Watched

Reports in France are suggesting that Rafa Benitez has had FC Lorient's winger Kevin Gameiro watched on a number of occasions, with reports suggesting the Anfield outfit are considering making a move for the forward.

The 22-year-old has been in superb form for the French minnows helping the club secure a respected mid-table finish in Ligue 1. Gamiero has chipped in with seven goals and 8 assists this season, attracting interest from France's domestic giants Paris Saint Germain and Marseille.

The former French youth international is rumoured to be considering his future after only one year at FC Lorient, with ambitions of forcing his way into the thoughts of French boss Raymond Domenech.

Sammy Lee Warns About Past Liverpool FC Transfer Errors

Sammy Lee admits Liverpool cannot afford to ignore the mistakes of 2002 as they prepare for a “massive” summer.

Rafael Benitez’s side bring down the curtain on their season tomorrow when they entertain Tottenham.

A point will confirm runners-up place behind Manchester United with the Anfield outfit having already reached 83 points, their record total in the Premier League era.

Benitez is already assessing his transfer options with Carlos Tevez, Glen Johnson, David Silva and Gareth Barry all among those the Spaniard has run the rule over.

The last time Liverpool finished second in the table seven years ago, they responded by spending more than £20m on misfits Bruno Cheyrou, El Hadji Diouf and Salif Diao and subsequently finished outside the Champions League places the following campaign.

And Lee, who was on then manager Gerard Houllier’s coaching staff in 2002, accepts Liverpool are treading a fine line as they aim to make the final transformation into a potentially championship-winning team.

“Each summer is massive,” said the assistant manager. “There will be activity going on behind the scenes here to bring new people in. You always need to bring in new players to strengthen and improve.

“We hope it’s just fine margins that need looking at rather than sweeping changes. It’s only tweaking that is needed, which is why this summer is going to be important. There is a fine line between success and not having success.

“The final bit is always the hardest part in anything. But we’re fully aware of the task that faces us. To get that little bit extra will be the hardest work for us.”

Lee added: “I was aware of what went on in 2002. That’s why the cliches come in, there’s no way we can afford to take anything for granted. The fact is we’re not 100% happy with the season because we have won nothing. There’s no way we can afford to rest on our laurels.

“If you win things, you don’t dwell on that either. It’s the old Ronnie Moranism, you forget that trophy then move on to the next one. Before we even finished the last game of the season, he told us how many days there were before we came back for pre-season.

“That was the type of mentality we had. We are preparing already for next season and there’s no way anyone here will be resting on their laurels because we have won nothing.”

Tottenham are one of only two teams – Middlesbrough the other – to have beaten Liverpool in the Premier League this season.

If Benitez’s side avoid defeat tomorrow, they will become the first team ever to go through a top-flight season losing as few games without winning the league.

But Lee said: “There certainly has been an improvement but it’s not enough of an improvement as we don’t have any trophies.”

Arsenal Youngsters Thrash Liverpool

Steve Bould's Arsenal youngsters secured an emphatic 4-1 victory over Liverpool in tonight's first leg of the FA Youth Cup final at Emirates Stadium.

Jack Wilshere, a 17-year-old midfielder who has already played for Arsene Wenger's first team, set up Gilles Sunu for the opening goal after 20 minutes.

Then the England Under-19 star doubled the Gunners' advantage when he scored from the penalty spot after half-an-hour.

The 33,000 crowd at Ashburton Grove saw Liverpool pull a goal back through Alex Kacaniklic before half-time.

But Arsenal were not to be denied, and they asserted themselves convincingly after the break.

Playmaker Wilshere schemed another goal when he played in substitute Sanchez Watt to make it 3-1 on 57 minutes.

Then Emmanuel Thomas headed in from a corner to make it 4-1and give the young Reds a huge challenge in the second leg at Anfield next week.

Benitez Hands Hyypia Captain's Armband

Rafa Benitez is ready to make Sami Hyypia captain for his final Liverpool appearance.

The Finnish centre-back is leaving Anfield this summer after 10 years with the club after agreeing a two-year deal with Bayer Leverkusen.

And Benitez, whose side host Spurs on Sunday, admits the Reds will be losing a legend when the 35-year-old leaves Merseyside.

He said: "Certainly we are losing a legend. For years he has been so good. He has scored important goals and has been very good in defence. Clearly we are losing an important player.

"He will get a fantastic reception from the fans.

They are amazing and they recognise when someone has been a very good servant to the club.

"He is a fantastic professional and a very good person."

Benitez also insists he feels nothing but pride for his players, even though they have finished without a trophy.

He added: "The fact that we have won nine of our last 10 games and not won the title just shows the high level of the Premier League.

"This season we have managed very good performances against the top sides - something we had not been doing before - and now we have to improve a little bit more.

"We've 83 points and that would have been enough to win the title on six other occasions since the Premier League started.

"I can only underline that I am pleased and proud of my team to have gone this close."

The Kop boss has started to generate cash by agreeing a £1m fee with Leicester for defender Jack Hobbs, who helped the Foxes to promotion to the Championship, while winger Paul Anderson will join Swansea for a fee of around £750,000.

Gerrard Savours Experience

Steven Gerrard hopes Liverpool's title-chasing experience will help the club end their drought for the league title next campaign.

The Reds pushed rivals Manchester United for the Premier League crown this season but fell short after dropping too many points at Anfield.

Liverpool have not won the league since 1990 but their efforts this campaign demonstrated progress under manager Rafa Benitez.

Captain Gerrard has spoken of his pride at his charges' challenge and is already hopeful that 2010 could be Liverpool's year.

Gerrard told the club's official website: "I am really proud. This season is the first time I've ever been involved in a title race and, from a personal point of view, I've certainly enjoyed it. Speaking to the other boys, they've enjoyed it too.

"Obviously we were unfortunate not to win the league, but we can take a lot of positives from this season moving forward.

"We've put in some terrific performances this year and have performed well as a team. I think we can use this experience and take big confidence into next campaign.

"As far as trophies are concerned, we've finished empty-handed, but I think we can be really proud of how we have performed. From maybe mid-December onwards we've shown championship-winning form.

"To win the Premier League you have to have had experience of being involved in a title race and let's hope the experience we've gained this year will help us go one better next season."

Sami Hyypia's Regret Over One Missing Piece Of Silver In Liverpool FC Career

It isn’t the leaving of Liverpool that is grieving Sami Hyypia most as he contemplates his impending departure from the club he has served with such distinction for the past decade.

It is the knowledge that the club has been unable to deliver the prize which its fans crave above all others.

Although Hyypia has no regrets from his time at Anfield, he admits that if he could change one thing it would be for the one remaining space in his own trophy cabinet to be filled with a title winners’ medal.

“Maybe that is a disappointment but I am more sad for the fans than for myself because they deserve it so much,” he said.

“But I have no real regrets because there are always ups and downs when you are a professional athlete and I think that we’ve had more ups than downs in the ten years that I’ve been here.

“I’ve had a really happy time here and I want to thank all of my team mates, the staff here and the fans for everything because it has been a great time.”

On Sunday afternoon it will be Hyypia’s turn to be on the receiving end of some richly deserved gratitude as he brings the curtain down on an Anfield career which has seen him go from a relative unknown – remember the wags who christened him Sami Who-pia? – to being regarded as one of Europe’s finest modern day defenders.

Now 35-years-old and considered a veteran, Hyypia has experienced pretty much all the highs and lows that football has to offer.

So much so that it might be expected that he will take his final appearance in his giant Finnish stride. But such is his affection for Liverpool as a club and as a city, he is actually refusing to contemplate the enormity of it all for fear that the emotions which will inevitably be stirred could undermine his trademark professionalism and the needs of the team.

“I haven’t really thought about Sunday yet,” he admitted. “I think it is better that way so that I can concentrate on training because we still have one game to play.

“We really haven’t discussed what will happen yet. The manager hasn’t talked to me about it so we will see what happens.

“Obviously I’m hoping to be involved in the game at some stage just so I can get onto the pitch for one last time. I would be happy with that, of course, but no matter what happens I will still have the chance to say goodbye to the fans after the game.”

An online collection on the Red All Over The Land and Red And White Kop fans forums has raised enough money to buy a special commemorative flag so that the supporters can bid a fitting farewell to one of their modern day heroes.

There are also plans for a Kop mosaic, such is the esteem in which Hyypia is held by the Liverpool supporters, of which he counts himself as one.

“I was a Liverpool fan before and I will definitely remain a Liverpool fan for the rest of my life,” he said.

“Of course I know You’ll Never Walk Alone and I can sing that but I haven’t really picked up too many of the other songs.

“Usually you can hear them when you are playing but you can’t hear exactly what they are singing but when I come back for some games I will have to go on the internet first and learn the words of the songs so I can sing along.

“It has always been really special for me whenever I have heard the fans sing my name.

“It is something that I’ve enjoyed a lot. Even nowadays when I go to warm up and they sing my name it’s a great thing and a great feeling.”

That self same feeling was one of the main reasons why Hyypia turned down several offers to remain in the Premier League once word seeped out into the football fraternity that the time had come for him to move on.

Stoke City, Wolves, Newcastle United and Sunderland were all keen to acquire the services of a player who has literally and metaphorically placed himself head and shoulders above so many of his contemporaries during the past ten years.

But the thought of playing against Liverpool and the supporters who adore him was not something Hyypia was even prepared to contemplate and when Bundesliga outfit Bayer Leverkusen made him an offer he quickly realised it was one he could not refuse.

“Of course it would have been difficult to come back to Anfield to play against Liverpool if I’d stayed in this country,” said the centre back.

“Leverkusen showed from day one that they wanted me there and they had a plan for me.

“They have a young team and they need experience and the package is good.

“To have the opportunity at my age to experience another of the top leagues in Europe is good for me. It’s a new challenge and now I just need to match their expectations and I will be fine.

“It’s a really good challenge and I’m looking forward to it.

“I still want to play and I feel that I still have something to offer. I know that if I’d stayed here I wouldn’t have played as many times as I would like to.”

Rafa Benitez and Jamie Carragher have both described Sami Hyypia as a Liverpool legend and there will be precious few people at Anfield on Sunday afternoon who will disagree.

He may be departing without that much longed for league title winners medal, but he will leave with the affection of a city and a football club and the unstinting admiration of those who have played alongside him and supported him.

Daniel Agger: No-One Should Leave Liverpool

Centre-back Daniel Agger recently signed a new five-year deal which ended rife speculation about his Liverpool future.

Now, following a season in which the Reds mounted their strongest challenge for the Premier League title in recent times, the Dane has opined that it would be foolish to leave Anfield at this time.

He predicts that success is just around the corner, and has urged his current team-mates not to look beyond the Merseyside club.

"I've agreed a contract, the manager has agreed a new contract, Steven Gerrard, Dirk Kuyt and some other players are all agreeing contracts," he reminded the club's official website.

"I think this shows you that within the club there is a real sense that we are building towards something special.

"Everyone wants to be successful, everyone wants to be part of it. If you don't, then I think you're making a big mistake. There is a lot to be proud of this season, and we are."

Agger will be hoping to enjoy an injury-free campaign after the summer break, in order to get the most out of Rafa's apparent revolution.

Gerrard - Consistency Is The Key

Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard insists that the club are now well aware that consistency is the key to winning the Premier League.

The Reds narrowly missed out on this season's title after arch-rivals Manchester United won their third league trophy in a row last weekend.

Gerrard believes that a trio of successive draws at Anfield at the end of 2008 against Fulham, West Ham and Hull City proved costly.

"Looking back at those three draws on the spin at home in December, they are key because if we had turned them into wins, we would be champions or at least still in the race with one game to go," the England star said in the Daily Mirror.

"That shows everyone how difficult this league is to win. You need to perform immaculately at home and win all your games.

"From maybe mid-December onwards we have shown championship-winning form and you've got to go and do it over the whole season."

Napoli Reject Liverpool’s €22m Bid For Ezequiel Lavezzi

According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis has rebuffed a €22 million bid from Premier League giants Liverpool for Argentine star Ezequiel Lavezzi.

The 24-year-old has been frequently associated with a move away from the San Paolo in recent weeks, with the Italian press suggesting that his agent, Alejandro Manzoni, has been in talks with Juventus.

It is claimed the Vesuviani were approached by an unnamed emissary on behalf of the Merseyside outfit, however, De Laurentiis said no to the initial bid.

Things could change at the start of next week, though. Manzoni is reportedly arranging a direct meeting between the two clubs for Monday.

Lavezzi is tied to the Campani until 2013 but there have been reports his representatives will seek a considerable pay rise at the end of the season.

The former San Lorenzo man, who has netted seven goals in 28 league appearances this season, currently earns €1.3m per season at the San Paolo. Liverpool are allegedly prepared to offer him a salary of €4m to lure him to Anfield.

Lavezzi has been sidelined with a muscular problem since Napoli’s 1-0 win over Inter last month but he could be back in action against Catania this weekend.

Liverpool Sign Barcelona Youth Wizard

Liverpool have appointed the coach that helped to groom many of the current crop of homegrown Barcelona players as Rafa Benitez seeks to overhaul the Anfield club's youth set-up.

Pep Segura worked at Camp Nou with the youngsters in a two-year spell that saw him help discover such talents as Bojan Krkic, Sergi Busquets and Pedro.

The 48-year-old spent three seasons at the Catalan club at a time when Andres Iniesta made his first-team breakthrough and is now set to be asked to help restructure things at Anfield.

Benitez wants the club to produce more of its own players to complement the big money signings that he is planning and sees Segura as a key piece in his jigsaw.

"There is much work to do at the Academy," Benitez is quoted as saying by Sport.

"Pep has worked with some of the young talents in Spain and knows how to reach the top, the first team.”

After Barcelona, Segura became the assistant to former Blaugrana boss Llorenç Serra Ferrer at AEK, before taking over as head coach at Olympiakos having worked under Takis Lemonis for a year.

Liverpool FC Youngsters Up For FA Youth Cup Final Battle Against Arsenal

Liverpool’s Youth team will look to take giant strides towards a third FA Youth Cup when they take on Arsenal in tonight’s final first leg.

Current FA Premier League national winners, and widely regarded as the best youth side in the country, the Gunners will provide a stern test for the Reds.

Hugh McAuley’s Anfield outfit have reached this evening’s match at the Emirates Stadium (kick-off 8pm) having beaten Leeds United, Bristol Rovers, Chelsea, Bolton Wanderers and Birmingham City in the semi-final.

Although fully aware of the threat posed by Arsenal, youth boss McAuley is confident his troops can grab a positive result to take back to Anfield for the second leg next Tuesday (7:45pm).

He said: “We are really looking forward to it, especially because it is against Arsenal. It will be good to go to the Emirates. I don’t think any of us have been to the stadium before.

“They are a good team, with some excellent players – some of them have played in the first team. We have two games to pit our wits against them and hopefully do well. The fact that we beat them in the Youth Cup last year may help us.

“The ultimate aim is to obviously win. We must just play our normal game, do what we are good at and also try and contain Arsenal as best we can. If you are too negative about the first leg then it can backfire.

“We want a decent result to take back to Anfield. Whatever the score, it will affect how many people come along for the second leg. We have to be confident we can go down there and get a decent result ready for the game at Anfield.”

If the Reds are to grab a lead to bring back to Merseyside then they will be looking to striking hotshot Lauri Dalla Valle, who has scored seven times in the competition.

However McAuley’s men will be without Swedish midfielder Alex Pepper who picked up an injury in the two legged win over Birmingham City.

McAuley added: “We have played some tricky games, some good games and deserve to be in the final with how they have played. This type of competition is great for the lads.”

Rafael Benitez Will Bring Good Times To Liverpool - Kenny Dalglish

Manchester United may have levelled Liverpool's record of 18 top-flight titles, but Reds legend Kenny Dalglish believes that the Merseyside men will soon steam ahead against under Rafael Benitez.

Benitez’s troops launched a strong assault on the Red Devils this season, despite coming up short in the end. However, the Scot expects silverware to return to Anfield from next season onwards.

"I hope ‘Rafa’ can build on the good work that he has achieved this season," Dalglish told the Daily Mail.

"We would love to be in Manchester United's position, everybody would, but we have come a lot closer.

"It will give them great belief when they go into next season. There's always expectation, but I believe that this time it'll be justified."

Outlining some of the reasons for optimism, Dalglish said, "Rafa signing his contract, Stevie Gerrard, Fernando Torres and Dirk Kuyt agreeing to stay, and the Americans [owners George Gillett and Tom Hicks] working more closely - all that is brilliant."

"The performances against the other members of the top four have been brilliant. I'm sure there will be players coming in, too, so there is a lot to look forward to."

Sami Hyypia Already Plotting Liverpool Return

Sami Hyypia is set to bid Liverpool an emotional farewell on Sunday but not before letting it be known that it is his dream to return to the club as coach one day.

Last week it was confirmed that the 35-year-old Finnish centre-back had chosen to extend his career at Bayer Leverkusen after over a decade's service for the Reds.

The defender's departure will be unanimously mourned by the red side of Merseyside, but if all goes according to plan it will be an 'until we meet again' rather than a 'farewell'.

"I'd like to come back to Liverpool one day as a coach, and it was great to hear the manager would like me to return," Hyypia said in the Daily Mirror.

"Coaching has always been in my mind, but I have to take my badges first. I haven't done that yet because I want to keep playing, and I thought at this stage it would be a burden.

"But at the end of my playing career I'll look to take the badges and then see. I've so many memories of Liverpool, and really would love to return one day.

"I think it will only be after I've finally left that I'll be able to sit back and realise what we've done in my 10 years. It's hard to take in now. It is nice to be remembered here."

Xabi Alonso Edges Towards Liverpool Exit

Reports suggest that the Liverpool midfielder, Xabi Alonso, is set to exit the club this summer as his manager, Rafael Benitez, prepares to shape his transfer campaign around potential funds raised by his compatriot's sale.

Alonso was close to agreeing a deal with Juventus last summer and was also linked with Arsenal as Benitez tried desperately to summon the requisite cash to bring Gareth Barry from Aston Villa to Anfield.

However, both moves faltered and the Spanish midfielder went on to enjoy one of his most productive terms in the red shirt.

It seems now though that Liverpool's summer spending hinges on their ability to raise funds through player sales, and Alonso reportedly tops the list of potential departees again this season.

Benitez has a number of summer transfer targets that cannot be acquired without first selling players. Carlos Tevez of Manchester United, David Silva of Valencia, Portsmouth's Glen Johnson and Villa’s Barry have all been linked with Anfield this season.

Alonso could quickly find himself surplus to requirements and was linked recently with a £23 million move to Real Madrid, who look set to appoint Florentino Perez as president on June 17.

However, Liverpool have issued a statement in the past 24 hours after a rumour emerged that terms on the transfer of Alonso to Madrid had been agreed in principle.

It read, “There has been no contact from anyone and Alonso is not for sale.”

Liverpool face Tottenham Hotspur at Anfield this weekend, in what could be Alonso's last appearance for the club.