PA Sport - Wed, 04 Nov 14:29:00 2009
Steven Gerrard was "devastated" when Xabi Alonso left Liverpool and admits the Reds have missed the Spaniard.
Liverpool captain Gerrard (pictured right), who is currently injured, forged a good understanding with Alonso (left) but since he moved on to Real Madrid in the summer Liverpool have struggled for form.
"Devastated, yeah. Devastated. But there was nothing I could do about it," Gerrard told FourFourTwo magazine.
"Xabi said a long time ago that he wanted another chapter in his career and finally he got it and his team-mates and the coaches couldn't stand in his way. We just have to say thanks and move forward without him."
Liverpool recouped around £30 million for the 27-year-old, and spent most of that on bringing replacement Alberto Aquilani to Anfield from Roma.
Aquilani missed the first two months of the season due to injury and Liverpool have already lost seven matches.
Gerrard knew it would take Liverpool time to adapt to life without Alonso, who in a playmaker role had a vital duty in Rafael Benitez's team.
Gerrard said: "It's always going to be different when you lose one of the best players in the world - and people are finally realising that's what he is, on the back of his form for Real Madrid and the difference in us from last year.
"We've got other midfielders here doing a good job but it will take a while before Alonso's out of our system because he was such a top player."
Comment 26 - 45 of 45
Sorry you Liverpool fans, but i think your probally in for your worst season in a long, long time. too many things are stacking up against you, could be that you may not even make europa league next year. Replacing Rafa at this moment would be a mistake, (costly at that) ship needs to settle but i do think it may be time for a change.
Perhaps closed season. Your problems, weak up front and soon to lose Torres to op! not really replaced Xavi, from last season, no point buying someone who injured and cant get involved with training and play closed season, and im sorry but you need a really good defender Great goalie though Reina top bloke.
suffering from low confidence, but i do hope raf pulls it round cuz CL without the pool wud not be same..
Rafa is magic
although he won 3 United games in a row, Looserpool is going down
i wish he manages the club for another 10 years, to see them dropped into Conference
Glory Glory Man United!!!
Gerrard wants Benitez GONE, and is feigning injury at a crucial time in the hope Rafa gets the gooner
BUT the simple truth is that rafa want to sell him to juventus last summer and to buy G.barry from aston villa,that was why alonso get angry and left this summer..i am very happy with alonso,because i think is important to respect your players and to know what kind of player you have.,,,they said you never know what you have until you lose it.same thing happen to real madrid,when they wanted to ex change robinho plus cash to bring cristiano ronaldo from man united last summer,,,but what happend?he left them last day of the transfer,and was a big blow to real madrid to cope with out him...that fat spanish cow never think twice...same with john A.RISSEN he sold him to Roma because he miss penality,when they are playing with chelsea.remember what happen to villareal when there coach sold him to boca juniors,because he miss a penality vs arsenal......forza united rules
The rumour going around the circuit is that gerrard will be signing for man.city in jan if liverpool crash out of the champions league!
Bye Bye Rafa. We won't be seeing you at Anfield next year.
I was a fan of Rafa until this recent season. I won't miss him when he is gone.
Rafa's big mistakes
1. Getting on bad terms with Robbie Keane, We lost money and didnt get a player, how smart was that. I bet you wish we had him now.
2. Trying to sale Alonso for Gareth @#$% Waffle Barry. ARE YOU SERIOUS, no wonder Alonso left, you might as well tell the queen that she is being replaced by Oprah and see how she responds.
3. Getting backstabbed by Gareth Barry. So you risk it all to bring your lover boy Barry to anfield and then in the middle of the night you let Man City steal him? what happened rafa you and Barry get in a tif about who should be on top?
4. Not signing Michael Owen on a FREE (YES A FREE SIGNING) bloody spanish idiot. What happens when your golden boy torres and/or Gerrard is out with injuries, and you have no replacements. thats right we LOSE, to FULHAM.
lewischatfield - what about Hiddink? He managed to turn things round at Chelsea in the space of weeks.....and won a trophy in just three months at the club - not bad. Hiddink could be a similar success at Liverpool, the only thing is next year is a world cup year and he may not what anything getting in the way of making sure Russia get to the finals. Theres also Mourinho...ok he's not available but he's always said he wants to manage in England again - but would Liverpool fans want him? and what about Van Gaal, another fiery character who's not doing to well at Bayern right now. Other than these guys I can't think of anyone else. M.O'N???? - closer to home but might not want to leave Villa.
Selling Alonso has been the single biggest mistake Benitez has made as Liverpool boss. The evidence is clear for all to see. The Liverpool of last season almost won the Premiership, whereas the Liverpool of this season (so far) are flirting with being dumped out of the champions league, and are struggling to stay in the top 4. Man City could yet still finish above them and take the last spot for nxt seasons champions league.....don't laugh, it may happen.
gerreard is wasting his time a a great club, move on and win more!!
rafa benitez tut...tut lfc need a new manager and more players gerrard might as well change clubs if he is always losing with his brilliance in the side aswell
IS STEVEN GERRARD DOING MICHEAL JACKSON'S THRILLER
yes, you united fans should trust in rafa. TO WIN THE LIVERPOOL UNITED GAMES. 3 in a row, how many goals have liverpool scored in those games? 8. and united? 2 HAHAHAHA! united SUCK @#$%
RAFA BENITEZ RAEAL BENITEZ IS A LIVERPOOL LEGEND
Ok, so ive always supported rafa, but now, i feel he has just made too many mistakes, aquilani might be a great player,and maybe he can fill alonso's boots, and i would love to see him do this, but its too late already, we have lost too many games. The fact remains, rafa should have bought someone who could fit in straight away, or at least have time to fit in. 1 problem, who could do a better job than rafa? i dont know any managers that are either available, or that would leave their club/team for liverpool, and then do a good enough job @ liverpool. Oh, and as for the coment made by "vegasmufc" Gerrard will not leave liverpool, the fans have faith in him, the boss has faith in him and the players have faith in him, i belive you are just jellous that you best centre midfielder is either carrick or fletcher, neither of which are good enough to comepete in the prem, the champions league, or any round of the F.A cup, after the third round.
Of course he is devastated it has potentially cost him a top 4 place and champions league progress due to the fact his replacemant will not be fully fit till christmas, the mess Liverpool is in is purely Rafa's fault although big signings have been good like Torres, Mascherano and Johnson, the cheaper signings have been extremeley poor link that with letting the likes of Alonso, Crouch and Keane leave the club leaves Liverpool's and Rafa's position very shaky.
'IN RAFA WE (UNITED FANS) TRUST'. Another master stroke by Rafa, sell one of your best players, just like taking Torres off against Fulham at the weekend when desperate for a win! Keep up the good work, you're doing a FANTASTIC job! LOL.
Perhaps Gerrard should be player/manager! Bye bye Rafa!
Still cant get my head around why we didn't sign Barry last year and we signed Keane then got rid of him. We need both of them now.. Sort it out before its to late. Moan over with...LOL
SCOUSE BABY you are a hotty!!!!
stuartxland....OBSESSED WITH LFC.
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