Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez put one over Real Madrid over the protracted sale of Xabi Alonso yesterday.

The Daily Mail says Benitez finally won his protracted battle of wills with Real Madrid last night by forcing them to pay £30million for Spain midfielder Alonso.

The Liverpool manager refused to do business when the Spaniards, whose summer spending now stands at a mind-boggling £220m, opened the bidding at £19m. And he did not yield when they returned with an improved offer of £28m.

Sensing he was in no mood to relent over the 27-year old's valuation, Bernabeu bosses gave in by agreeing to pay an initial £27m, with a further £3m to follow depending on Alonso's success during the first two seasons of a four-year contract.

Benitez was able to reflect with satisfaction yesterday at making Real meet the asking price for a player he signed from Real Sociedad for £10.7m in 2004.

Alonso, who trained at Melwood before saying his farewells prior to Liverpool setting off for tonight's friendly against Lyn in Oslo, will have a medical in Madrid today.