The Real Madrid midfielder is still revered on Merseyside despite leaving for Real Madrid in 2009.
Ask any self-respecting Liverpool fan what to name their five favourite players of the last 25 years, and chances are that a certain 32-year-old Spaniard will feature along with the likes of Robbie Fowler, Steven Gerrard, Ian Rush and Phil Babb.
Xabi Alonso joined Liverpool from Real Sociedad on 20th August, 2004 and went on to make over 180 appearances in red before moving to Madrid in 2009.
Such is his popularity that any mention that he could be surplus to requirements at Real has Liverpool fans dusting down the rosary beads and praying to Bill Shankly that Xabi will walk among them once again.
And why?
Well, there was the time Liverpool were 2-0 down against Fulham and Alonso inspired a comeback with this brilliant free-kick…
…and the two best assists you’ll ever see for Luis Garcia and Steven Gerrard in a match against Sunderland…
…the fact that he interrupted ITV’s Champions League Final coverage to say hello to an old friend…
…in fact, if you want to see the Gerrard-Alonso friendship develop through the prism of a Limp Bizkit power ballad, look no further than this…
…and then there’s the ability to say all the right things…
…and the occasional 70-yard goal…
…but, ultimately, playing a key role in your club’s single greatest victory of all time is always going to make you a hero…
http://youtu.be/tPEmC3vN-bQ
