Alonso: I won't consider future until after Euros

Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso claims he will not think about his future until after Euro 2008.

Alonso has been strongly linked with a summer move to Juventus, but says he is currently focusing on Spain’s European challenge.

“I know there is interest (from Juventus),” he told 'El Mundo Deportivo'. “But right now I not going to talk about that because there is enough to think about here with the national team.”

Alonso is one of several English-based players called up by Spain for Euro 2008 and insists recent press accusations that they cannot adapt to their national side’s style of play are well wide of the mark.

“It’s not the first time we have played with the national team, so we must have done something good at some point,” he said.

“When one of us who plays in England has a good game, people won’t say anything.

“Those of us playing in England are just as prepared as those playing in Spain.”

Alonso admits Liverpool’s direct style is totally different to Spain’s passing game, but says he feels comfortable in both systems.

“Without a doubt, with Liverpool we use a more direct game and in very few passes try to find the opposition goal, but I don’t feel uncomfortable in a passing side,” he said.

Both Alonso and Arsenal’s Cesc Fabregas look set to start on the bench as Spain kick off their campaign against Russia on Tuesday, but the Liverpool midfielder says he is ready to help his team in any capacity.

“The manager decides those things, he knows us very well,” he said.

“If I get to play then good, but if not then it’s also fine, and I’ll be ready to come on if needed,” he said.

Spain crashed out in the first round of Euro 2004 in a group also containing Russia and Greece, but Alonso believes history will not repeat itself this time.

“It’s almost the same group, but the group of players has changed quite a lot and hopefully what happened won’t be repeated,” he said. “That would be disappointing.”

And the former Real Sociedad midfielder hopes Spain can go all the way to the final this time around.

“I hope we get to the final, but that’s a long way away and we need to concentrate on the first rival,” he said.

“We have to win the game against Russia because it’s fundamental that we don’t go into the last game with emergencies like in 2004.

“We need to do our job and not leave it all to the last game.”

After the game against Russia on Tuesday, Spain face Sweden on Saturday and then meet Greece in their final Group D match next Wednesday.