Rafa wants Xabi to stay

Alonso should make his first appearance of pre-season against Singapore later today and in his pre-game press conference Benitez again reiterated his desire to keep the midfielder at Anfield.

"I was talking to him yesterday and telling him to listen to the fans. They love Xabi," said the boss.

"I said to him, 'Maybe you have to stay.'

"You can see he is a really good player and I'll be really pleased if he stays. All the players and his teammates want him to stay. If we keep Xabi I will be very pleased."