Rafa Benitez has insisted that Xabi Alonso will be at Anfield next season and described the Spaniard as a 'key player' for Liverpool.
With Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres missing for spells this season, Alonso has arguably been the Reds most influential figure having looked like he would leave last summer.
Arsenal and Real Madrid have been strongly linked with the 27-year-old especially as Gareth Barry is once again being mentioned as a close season target for Benitez.
But the Reds boss has been keen to play down the speculation over Alonso and insists that the former Real Sociedad star remains part of his first-team plans.
Benitez said: "Xabi has been doing really well this season. He's a key player for us and with him being fit again it will give us a different option in midfield.
"Xabi has been talking about how he wants to stay here and we certainly want to keep him, so I don't think there will be any problems."
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