Liverpool have been through a turbulent few years on and off the field which finally came to a halt with the arrival of the new owners last year and Kenny Dalglish’s return to the club in January. There were many reasons for their alarming decline, but one thing that seemed to have set the club on the slide on the field was the loss of Xabi Alonso, an integral part of the side, and someone that they still haven’t been able to replace two years on.
Alonso was a world class player, he formed an excellent partnership with Javier Mascherano, and alongside Steven Gerrard, completed one of the finest midfields around. He was a passing genius, as well as an intelligent player, and he provided the key link between the defense and the attack which Liverpool have lacked since his departure. Although it is a few years since he left, his absence in the middle of the field is still noticeable.
Alonso was a quality player, one as integral to the side as Gerrard was. When he was at the club and didn’t play, Liverpool looked like they were a man down, they lacked creativity and they have struggled with the hangover caused by his loss ever since.
Liverpool have tried to replace Alonso, but it’s a tough ask to replace such a world class player, particularly one with such a distinctive style. Lucas has come on a long way since the time he first donned a reds shirt, and he’s done well but he’s not of the same quality as Alonso, and he has yet to stamp his name on the defensive midfield role permanently.
At the end of last season, Liverpool seemed to have finally moved towards a new idea of how to play, with a new style under Dalglish. No longer did they look inept or ineffective in attack, and for the first time since Alonso left they looked creative, yet no one has staked their claim to be unchallenged in the central role. Alberto Aquilani, though his future remains uncertain, could write his name into the role. He is a different option to what Alonso provided in the past, quicker on the ball, with pace and trickery, he provides a more direct attacking threat than Xabi used to. He never really got a fair chance under Hodgson so he may prove more worthwhile this season if given the opportunity.
Alonso believed his own hype and was average at best in his second and third year. That’s why Rafa tried to get rid of him. He only upped his game on the forth year so he could get to Madrid. Stop trying to create a ‘legend’ cause he’s not one!!
Although I like Alonso and never wanted him to be sold, I have to agree with @Prole. People also tend to forget that any club that expressed an interested in Xavi wouldn’t meet Rafa’s valuation of £7 millon, stating that it was far to high, hence he stayed with us (we now have a similar situation with Aquaman).
Liverpool did offer him a new and improved contract based on his final year but he chose to move to Madrid.
We are supposed to be the most knowledgable fans in football but sometimes it would appear that we do have short momories or selective recall.