Since the Basque born midfielder signed for Liverpool in 2004, it is safe to say that I have worshipped the man, from forty yard passes to halfway line goals Xabi has delighted the Kop, and in my opinion always looked like he loved Anfield, his second home. Yet is that the crux of the matter, is Anfield only his second home, can we expect nothing more than a cheque from a man who has graced Anfield for 5 years? Or do we as fans, the people who have contributed to his wage, deserve more than simply his relocation fee. I myself would like to see more given back to us, admittedly the reported £35 million is a huge fee, but is there anyone in modern day football who is built in the image of Alonso? I doubt that. Alonso and Liverpool are a partnership, they are needed together, and anyone who believes he will not be sorely missed, is as realistic as Mike Ashley.
But Madrid is his home, Real Madrid and Barcelona are the iconic figures of the spanish league, and having removed my Red tinted glasses I can understand the desire to return. At first I was hurt hearing that Alonso wanted to leave taking it as an insult, damaging Liverpool, how can the man leave for the club that Liverpool dominated for 180 minutes destroying their defence, blunting their attack, but at the end of the it is his home. Anfield was a prolongued stay on the World Tour for Xabi, and I like to believe that he did truly love the club, its fans and the asides that came with playing for Liverpool. But picture this you, an Englishman playing in the Spanish or Italian League, your home city comes calling for you, do you answer that novelty phone? I think I would.
Other people believe Alonso's wish to leave has more to do with last summer's transfer speculation with Benitez supposedly wanting rid of the maestro for the mercenary Barry, yet did this not force the very best out of Mr Alonso, many can claim that this is the reason Alonso wants to go. But try and view it this way had Rafa not delivered that rocket Alonso wouldnt have been the player he was last year, he would not be the man who propelled Liverpool closer to the Premier League title since the 90's, he would not be the man viewed as £35 million worth of talent, instead in my view he would have stayed on the sinking ship that would inevitably have been Liverpool last year, comfortbale with fourth place, lacking the desire to compete. Instead, we should thank Xabi for what he gave us, he provided us with the ability to believe that the title COULD be coming our way this season, not like past seasons where these were only dreams built on flawed logic. While Gerrard and Torres wrestled with injury, Alonso pulled the strings, and i thank him for that.
There is no one that can replace Alonso in that deep lying playmaker role, but just as Rafa pulled Xabi from obscurity for £10.5 million I am confident that once again he can find a player that can capture the hearts of the Kop, not just for his attitude but for his talent. With the platform in place there has never been a better time to find the last piece to complete the title winning jigsaw.
