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ALONSO SET FOR ANFIELD TALKS
Xabi Alonso is set to hold talks with Rafa Benitez over his future at Liverpool, while Alvaro Arbeloa could leave the club.
Rafa Benitez hoped to sell the Spanish midfielder to fund his move for Gareth Barry, but interest has cooled significantly since Juventus chose to sign Christian Poulsen from Sevilla, rather than hold out for Alonso.
Alonso returned to training at Melwood on Friday after his extended post-Euro 2008 holiday, and the Liverpool Post claims he wishes to clarify his Anfield future.
The Spaniard has said in the past that he would be happy to stay at Liverpool, but Benitez needs to sell in order to raise the required cash for not only Barry, but Robbie Keane as well.
Speculation increased that the Keane transfer is a step closer to completion after he was left out of a Spurs pre-season friendly in Spain by Juande Ramos.
Meanwhile, the Post claims Arbeloa wants to leave Liverpool.
The full-back reportedly would like to return to Spain for personal reasons, and while Liverpool would probably have no problems finding a buyer, that move could also impact the Barry transfer.
Despite claiming he would settle for no less than £18million, Martin O'Neill is thought to be willing to accept a slightly lower fee plus Steve Finnan in exchange for Barry.
However, if Arbeloa is also sold, that would leave new signing Philip Degen as the only specialist right-back at Anfield.
