According to The Guardian, Alonso yesterday asked to leave the Merseyside club after becoming fed up with his part in Benitez's chase of Aston Villa captain Gareth Barry.
The Spanish playmaker's future at Anfield has been in doubt since partway through last season, when he struggled to recapture his place in the first team after a lengthy lay-off with a metatarsal injury.
Rumours soon sprang up of a rift between player and manager, especially after the 26-year-old withdrew from the Reds' Champions League clash against Internazionale to be with his expecting wife.
And despite performing well and re-establishing himself in the starting XI during the last third of the season, Benitez's interest in Barry - and the fact Villa are demanding £18million for their skipper - has seen Alonso flirt with moves to Juventus and Arsenal.
But neither Juve or the Gunners were willing to pay over £12million for the Basque pass-master, while Rafa is yet to take him off the market, meaning his position at Liverpool is shrouded in uncertainty.
The news that Alonso no longer sees a future for himself at Anfield will come as a huge blow to the fans, who have been steadfast in their support of the man who arrived from Real Sociedad in 2004.
The Spanish playmaker's future at Anfield has been in doubt since partway through last season, when he struggled to recapture his place in the first team after a lengthy lay-off with a metatarsal injury.
Rumours soon sprang up of a rift between player and manager, especially after the 26-year-old withdrew from the Reds' Champions League clash against Internazionale to be with his expecting wife.
And despite performing well and re-establishing himself in the starting XI during the last third of the season, Benitez's interest in Barry - and the fact Villa are demanding £18million for their skipper - has seen Alonso flirt with moves to Juventus and Arsenal.
But neither Juve or the Gunners were willing to pay over £12million for the Basque pass-master, while Rafa is yet to take him off the market, meaning his position at Liverpool is shrouded in uncertainty.
The news that Alonso no longer sees a future for himself at Anfield will come as a huge blow to the fans, who have been steadfast in their support of the man who arrived from Real Sociedad in 2004.
