Red of the Day - Xabi Alonso

 

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 again until returning to take part in the 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 four 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.  He 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  proved time and again how vital he could be be for the reds. 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.

 

Alonso's future at the club came into question in the summer of 2008 when Rafa Benitez wanted to sell him and bring in Gareth Barry.  The move didn't happen, much to the relief of the Kop who gave Alonso a hero's welcome when he lined up in a pre-season game with Lazio at Anfield, and also chanted "You can stick your Gareth Barry up your arse".  

 

Alonso went on to become the club's player of the season that year, but the seeds for the popular midfielder's departure had been sewn a year earlier, and he departed for Real Madrid the following summer in a deal worth approximately €30m.  Xabi is one of the most popular foreign players ever to play for the club, he embraced the culture of both the city and the club, and many fans are still struggling to come to terms with his departure.