| XABI ALONSO PROFILE
by Julian Richards Date of Birth - 25/11/81
Nationality - Spanish
Position - Midfield
Squad Number - 14
Cost - £10.3m
Club Hons (Lpool) - Champions League 2005, FA Cup 2006
Club Hons (Other) - None
Intnl Hons - Spanish Caps
Other Clubs - Real Sociedad |
Signed in the summer of 2004, there can’t be many who could have claimed to know much about Xabi Alonso. Rafa obviously knew enough about him to pay Real Sociedad £10.5million to secure the services of the young Basque midfielder.
Xabi was no stranger to football as youngster. His father ‘Periko’ Alonso played for both Sociedad and Barcelona, winning three La Liga titles along the way, two for Sociedad and one for Barcelona. With such football pedigree it was no surprise to Xabi join Sociedad as youngster where he progressed through the ranks to make his first team debut at the age if 18. Xabi gradually established himself as a first team regular playing an integral part of Sociedad’s second place finish in 2002-03 season; just two points behind winners Real Madrid.
The following season wasn’t as successful for Sociedad domestically as they finished in 15th position that season. They did well in Europe however, making it to the last sixteen of the Champions League. Alonso was called up for the Spanish squad for Euro 2004 on the back of his form for Sociedad in those two seasons.
That summer Rafa made Xabi a Liverpool player for £10.5million. Alonso and other new boy Luis Garcia made their debuts against Bolton on the 29th August 2004. Playing against Fat Sam’s cloggers was never going to give us an accurate example of what Alonso could though and the Reds lost 1-0. Xabi made his home debut against West Brom and it was here that most realised we had someone with that little extra. Alonso’s performance on that day was a master class in one touch passing and accurate long passes. Comparisons were made with the great Jan Molby on that day although it was more to do with ability than Rambo’s size.
Xabi established himself in Liverpool’s first team that season until a fat cockney broke his ankle on New Years Day in the game against Chelsea. Testament to Xabi’s commitment was his insistence of trying to ‘run off’ and literally stamp off the effects of that broken ankle.
Alonso didn’t play until returning to take part in Reds superb performance away at Juventus. Playing 90 minutes after being out for three months, Alonso proved once again what an accomplished player he was.
Fate, or yet another cheating cockney, meant Xabi was suspended from that monumental semi-final against Chelsea at Anfield but he lined up for Liverpool in Istanbul for THAT game. Alonso didn’t have the best first half in Turkey but will always be remembered for scoring the equaliser that brought Liverpool back from the death on that historic night.
Over the next two seasons Alonso established himself as one of Liverpool's most valuable players. His range of passing and his commitment to being involved stand out as his best traits. It’s quite often that you’ll see him demanding the ball in midfield or directing other players when doesn’t have the ball. He has also developed a reputation for spectacular goals, scoring two goals from inside of his own half. The first was in the Reds run to Cardiff in the 2005-06 season where he scored in the 5-3 comeback against Luton. The second was against Newcastle, at Anfield, in September 2006.
A classy and determined player, Alonso has proved time and again how vital he can be for us. One of the finest examples of this was in the Anfield derby in 2005-06. After the early dismissal of Steven Gerrard, Liverpool looked to be in trouble, but Xabi ran the midfield against Everton, not giving them a sniff. He did the work of two players that day, and was truly imperious. Xabi Alonso is one of Liverpool’s brightest and most natural players.
