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Featured Sport News

Reds face midfield dilemma

Author: Brandon Barker
Date: 26/07/2009

Pre-season is not going all that smoothly for Rafa Benitez. Liverpool stumbled to a 0-0 draw with St Gallen in their first friendly, before slumping to a 1-0 defeat against Rapid Vienna.

But the form issues will not be the primary concern for the Spaniard. The heart of his team could well be ripped out with less than a month to go before the Reds begin their latest quest to win their first Premier League title.

Steven Gerrard has missed part of pre-season after being forced to attend court where he was eventually cleared of a charge of affray. However, he has been forced to train away from the rest of the first-team squad as they have been on tour in the Far East.

At least Benitez's concern that Gerrard would be facing the possibility of a prison sentence for his part in the bar room brawl over the festive period of 2008 has been allayed.

Liverpool will not be robbed of their talisman who has so often picked his team up by the scruff of the neck when the Kop faithful are preparing for a defeat or draw.

Arguably England's best player, Liverpool would have had a minimal chance of landing their 19th league championship without him, a feat which is attracting interest among online betting.

What will Liverpool win next season, if anything? Latest Football Betting -

The midfielder-cum-attacker's court case was not the only worry for Benitez. The immediate concern for the Kop manager lies in a slightly deeper position on the pitch.

Xabi Alonso is waiting on Liverpool to allow him to join Real Madrid. Florentino Perez, the president at the Bernabeu, is ready to break the £200million mark this summer in transfer fees, with the Reds playmaker next on his hit-list.

Alonso has insisted he is fine with life at Liverpool, but has made no secret of his interest in a move to the new breed of Galacticos.

Alonso enjoyed a fine season last term, but his relationship with his manager is strained after the Gareth Barry saga of last year. Benitez will be desperate to hold on to his compatriot.

To worsen things, Javier Mascherano's agent has said that the Argentina captain wants to move to Barcelona.

The midfield dynamo is 'tired of life in England' and his girlfriend is thought to be fed up. Benitez will be vigilant with regards to the holding player and will resist any realistic offer.

But for the Reds, there are uncertain times ahead. If Mascherano and Alonso depart, Benitez will have only Yossi Benayoun, Lucas Leiva and Jay Spearing to mount a title charge from the middle. If that is the case, Liverpool's rivals will be rubbing their hands together with undoubted glee.

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