Eight years later, and Liverpool still haven’t replaced Xabi Alonso.
Alonso was the brain of Rafa Benitez’s Liverpool team that won the Champions League in 2005, and finished second behind Manchester United in the 2008/2009 Premier League season.
The Spanish midfielder joined Real Madrid in 2009 for £30m, and Liverpool never adequately replaced him. The nature of Alonso’s departure added to the loss felt by Liverpool fans.
Alonso was a fan favourite, but his relationship with Benitez deteriorated after the Liverpool manager attempted to sell him in 2008, to fund the purchase of Aston Villa’s Gareth Barry.
However, Liverpool pulled out of the deal for Barry, as they were unwilling to pay £30m for the English midfielder, and Alonso remained at Anfield for another season.
Alonso’s former teammate Jamie Carragher has revealed that only two clubs wanted to sign the player that summer, which is staggering considering the midfielder’s obvious quality.
“Rafa’s intention was to off-load Xabi for £30million and buy Barry for half that price,” Carragher writes in his column for the Daily Mail.
“The appeal of Barry was that he was English and could play in two or three positions. But, believe it or not, only Juventus and Arsenal were keen to take Xabi.
“When it became clear those interested in Xabi were only prepared to pay £15m — and Aston Villa wanted £30m for Barry — the club pulled the plug.
“I, along with a lot of others, was delighted but there’s no doubt the intervention caused problems, with Rafa and Xabi, and Rafa and the board.”
Carragher also said that he believes Benitez didn’t fight hard enough to keep Alonso at Liverpool in 2009.
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