Xabi Alonso omitted from Sociedad squad

Real Sociedad coach Jose Maria Amorrortu has left Liverpool target Xabi Alonso out of his squad for this evening’s friendly against Basque rivals Osasuna.

The decision will only increase speculation that a deal to take the Spanish international midfielder to Anfield is imminent.

Alonso is not included in the 16-man squad Amorrortu is taking to Irun, a town on the France-Spain border, where the friendly is to be played.

He has been replaced by Mikel Aranburu, who missed out of the Basque side’s trip to England, where they played Liverpool’s city rivals Everton last weekend in a match watched by Rafael Benitez, who took the reins at Anfield in the summer.

The Basque club have admitted contact with Liverpool over the player, while the Merseyside club are thought to be offering around £10m (€15m) to £12m (€18m) for his services.

Alonso, who earned his first international cap for Spain last year, played for his country in this summer’s European Championships.

The decision could be due to Real’s desire to avoid Alonso getting injured with talks at a critical moment, but it may not be quite that simple.

Real are due to play another friendly against local Second Division outfit Eibar on Saturday and Amorrortu has stated that he plans to use fewer players in these games and give some of them 90 minutes’ competitive action as the start of the season approaches.

It now remains to be seen whether or not Alonso is included in the squad for Saturday’s game or even if he is still at the club by then.

Former Liverpool goalkeeper Sander Westerveld has also been left out of the squad in favour of Alberto Lopez and Spain Under-21 international Pedro Riesgo and his future in San Sebastian also looks to be under threat.