Rafa Happy To Still Have Alonso

Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez insists that he is glad to not have cashed in on Xabi Alonso during the summer.

Prior to Euro 2008 it seemed a foregone conclusion that Alonso would end his four-year spell on Merseyside to join Juventus, but the knock on effect of the Italians opting for the cheaper Christian Poulsen instead, and Aston Villa knocking back bid after bid for Gareth Barry has resulted in the Spaniard remaining rooted in Anfield.