Former Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso has spoken of his fondness for Anfield and the club, five years after leaving for Real Madrid.
The 32-year-old reminisced in an interview with beIN SPORTS, looking back on his five year stay on Merseyside.
“Liverpool was a very important part in my football career,” the Spanish international said. “Especially when we played at Anfield, we achieved great things and we had great nights in Anfield.
Alonso was signed by former Reds boss Rafa Benitez in 2004 and was part of the great teams to win the European Cup in 2005, FA Cup in 2006 and finish second in the Premier League in 2009.
He made 210 appearances for the Reds, scoring 19 times before his departure to the Spanish capital.
Alonso will be remembered for some valiant performances in Champions League games, and with European football set to return to Anfield for the first time since 2010 later this year, Alonso recalled the passionate nights in front of the Kop.
“There is a passion and atmosphere that comes when you play in England in the Premier League,” he added. “It’s special and I had the privilege to play for five years for Liverpool, and it’s a really special club.
“Anfield is a beautiful stadium and it has a certain charm and style that is very difficult to find in other stadiums. So I miss it a little bit; I really enjoyed the time that I spent in England, it was very important for my football career.”
Real Madrid’s Xabi Alonso in action against FC Bayern Munchen during the UEFA Champions League Semi-Final 2nd Leg match at the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Alonso is suspended for Saturday night’s European Cup Final in Lisbon between Real and Atletico Madrid.
Kick-off is 7.45pm in the UK and it’s live on ITV and Sky Sports.
What is your favourite Alonso moment from his time at Liverpool? Let us know in the comments section below.
petikan dari Liverpool FC, This is Anfield, Teamtalk
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