IS THERE A MYTH ON MERSEYSIDE?

I’m probably not the only football fan fed up with the lack of insight that so many football pundits seem to have these days.

The two words ‘Xabi’ and ‘Alonso’ are predictably mentioned every time Liverpool lose a game, but are predictably, barely used when they win.

It is the nature of the game's media to jump on certain bandwagons, but this also appears to be yet another media tirade against poor Rafa Benitez.

Firstly, I want to get one thing straight here. Xabi Alonso is a terrific player who is capable of scoring spectacular goals (occasionally). He also has the ability to control the pace and direction of a game and protect his defence, due his sound positioning and desire to receive the ball.

He is not, however, irreplaceable.

Pundits harp on about Alonso in the same way that they harp on about Ronaldo, but the Portuguese star won three league titles in his six years at Old Trafford.

The Spanish midfielder won no league titles in five years at Anfield.

Liverpool crave the league title, so why shouldn’t Alonso be sold for three times the amount he was bought for.

I don’t recall any people saying Liverpool missed the Spaniard when they took ten points from their first eight games in 2005-2006. I don’t remember pundits suggesting Liverpool needed Alonso when they lost three out of their first seven league games in 2006-2007.

I also don’t recall people suggesting Liverpool missed Alonso when they only collected 16 points from their opening eight matches two seasons ago (only one more point than they have now).

The reason - because he was actually there and contributing to these 'poor' results.

I am not suggesting Xabi Alonso will not be missed by the five times European Cup winners, he may well be. But now is way too early to judge.

Alberto Aquilani, his replacement, is set to make his debut before the end of the month, but even he needs a little time to adjust to the pace of the Premiership.

If Liverpool fail to finish in the top four (or finish 5th and win the Champions League), a scenario which never occurred while Alonso was at the club, then it would be right for pundits to say the 27 year old has been missed.

I would personally like to know on what basis he has been missed so far. As usual I don’t believe people are looking at the bigger picture.

In Europe (against continental sides) I think there may be an argument to be made. Against Fiorentina, Liverpool lacked somebody to control and dictate play. Steven Gerrard was forced to retreat backwards to collect possession and was therefore not so effective further up the pitch.

In the Premiership however, there is substantial evidence to suggest that Alonso’s influence is a ‘Merseyside myth’.

I can point out plenty of impressive recent Liverpool performances of note which did not include the former Real Sociedad star in the starting line up.

While I admit one off games are not always an effective tool of judgment, the emphatic 4-1 victory over Manchester United last season was achieved with a midfield two of Javier Mascherano and Lucas. Yes Lucas Leiva everybody. Are any pundits actually aware of this fact?

Did anyone mention Alonso’s absence after that game last March? No of course not, but they would have had Liverpool lost (but they didn't).

What about the 2007 Champions League semi final at Anfield against Chelsea? This was a game which Liverpool won and progressed to the final in Athens. Alonso was surprisingly left on the bench by his fellow countryman, Benitez. Any mention of this after the game? No.

How about the superb 1-0 win against Inter Milan in the San Siro two seasons ago?

While Alonso was in Merseyside attending the birth of his first child, the much maligned Lucas produced a very solid performance resulting in an excellent win against the Champions of Italy. Again, there was no mention of the Spaniard (concerning on-field matters anyway).

Nobody is suggesting Lucas is a superior player, but he is still young. He is also a Brazillian international who does really deserve more respect.


Alonso was terrific for Liverpool in the first half of his first season (2004-05), and the first half of last season.

But, for three years in the middle of that period he did not produce the same form on a consistent basis. This is why Benitez wanted to sell him in the summer of 2008 and sign Gareth Barry.

Of course in hindsight, Alonso had a very good campaign last year, so people highlight his loss more.


At this juncture, it is important for me to point out Alonso's weaknesses and suggest that thirty million pounds is an incredibly good piece of business from Benitez.

His passing, could at times, be so good that the amount of times he gave away possession (which was in fact relatively frequently) was actually forgotten.

I actually believe if I had a pound for the amount of times a commentator said "Ooo Alonso has given the ball away, that’s so unlike him" I think I would be approaching millionaire status by now. Again the word 'myth' springs to mind.

Xabi Alonso's absence is not the reason for Liverpool’s defensive problems so far this season.

I think Javier Mascherano has been distracted by both the summer interest of Barcelona and Argentina’s qualification problems. As captain of the national side he is taking much of the burden. The former West Ham star’s performances have been so below his normal standard that the defence has suffered and Lucas has been left to conduct the job of almost two players. Hence, the Brazillian's mistakes have been highlighted so much more.

In addition to being caught in possession a lot more than people think, Alonso didn’t score enough goals. The Euro 2008 winner also frequently slowed down Liverpool’s tempo, especially at home, when more urgency was needed. This certainly, contributed to Liverpool's inability to break down the so called 'weaker times in the last campaign.

If anyone saw the game at home to Hull City last year, they will know what I am talking about. And as long as Aquilani manages to stay clear of injury (and it's a big if), he should provide more going forward than Alonso ever could.

2-2 and 0-0 draws at home to Hull and Stoke City last year have been upgraded to 4-0 and 6-1 victories respectively this campaign. But of course, all that is forgotten in the media hype that surrounds a defeat.


Liverpool did lose to Chelsea last week, and yes they did win there last season with Alonso in the side.

However, the Spaniard also played in four Liverpool sides that lost at Stanford Bridge and was involved in three further defeats at to the Blues at Anfield during his five seasons.

Any arguments that he was severely missed last week are actually floored when all the evidience is analysed.


As I stated before, this article is not a vendetta against the Real Madrid star. He is a gifted player who will be remembered as a fine servant to the club.

But the press and punditry medium really need to hold fire and look at the facts before releasing such rubbish.

Xabi Alonso wanted to leave Liverpool and return to his native homeland.

Alberto Aquilani, a slightly different, more attacking player, is a new chapter in the history of Liverpool Football Club. With eleven caps for Italy and at only 25, he may just be the final part of the jigsaw for Rafa Benitez's team (although we have heard that one before).

If he is not, and Liverpool are not in club football’s biggest competition next season, then I will be content to eat my words.

I do though, somehow doubt, that this will happen.