Carragher worried by talk of Liverpool departures

Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher has pleaded with Spain midfielder Xabi Alonso to stay at Anfield.

Alonso has been linked with a 20 million pounds move to Real Madrid and has so far refused to rule out a switch to the Bernabeu.

Carragher knows Liverpool’s American owners have suffered financial difficulties recently and could be willing to accept a big offer but the centre-back hopes Alonso will stay loyal to the Reds.

“He (Alonso) and Stevie Gerrard were probably our best two players last season. I think Stevie won Footballer of the Year, but if you asked the fans I think they would maybe say that Alonso was our best player last season so he is certainly someone we don’t want to lose,” Carragher told Sky Sports News.

Carragher admits he is concerned that Alonso isn’t the only player being touted for an Anfield exit. Alvaro Arbeloa is interesting Real, while Spanish goalkeeper Jose Reina has emerged as a target for Barcelona.

“I’m like any fan, I get excited about who we might bring in. The players are exactly the same as the man on the street, you pick up the paper hoping you are going to see you’ve signed someone,” Carragher added.

“But there has been a bit of speculation about players moving on, so at the moment I’m hoping that doesn’t happen rather than people come in. We have got a great side at the moment, and I’m sure the manager will make a couple of additions, but we don’t want to lose anyone.”

One player certain to remain at Liverpool despite reports of a transfer is Spain striker Fernando Torres, who is reportedly on Manchester United’s hit-list after they accepted a world record 80 million pounds bid from Real for Cristiano Ronaldo.

Carragher believes United will find it hard to replace Ronaldo and he expects Sir Alex Ferguson to buy several players to make up for losing the Portugual winger.

“He makes a big difference to Manchester United, even though they have a lot of other great players, and I think he was the one for them,” Carragher said.

“But I’m sure Sir Alex Ferguson knows what he is doing and to have 80 million pounds to go and spend, that’s a lot of money. It will be difficult to replace Cristiano Ronaldo, but maybe they will do it a different way and get two or three players.

“It’s difficult to replace that, but I’m sure they will sort it out. Hopefully they won’t bring in someone as good as Ronaldo!”