Former Liverpool star Xabi Alonso: Anfield is a beautiful place and I miss it

Xabi Alonso

During an interview with beIN SPORTS, Xabi Alonso said that he misses playing in front of the Anfield crowd.

The former Liverpool midfielder will sit out Real Madrid’s Champions League final encounter with Atletico Madrid after picking up an ill-timed yellow in the semi-final.

The 32-year-old played a pivotal role in The Reds’ triumphant 2005 Champions League campaign, where they overhauled a three-goal deficit in the final against AC Milan to secure an historic fifth European Cup.

Despite experiencing further success at Real Madrid since his departure from the Premier League – winning the La Liga once and the Copa del Rey twice – the Spanish international still harbours warm feelings towards his former employers.

“Liverpool was a very important part in my football career. Especially when we played at Anfield, we achieved great things and we had great nights in Anfield,” said Alonso, as writes the Sport Review.

“There is a passion and atmosphere that comes when you play in England in the Premier League. 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.”

Xabi Alonso won 65% of his headed duels last season