Xabier Alonso Olano

Xabier Alonso Olano, commonly known as Xabi (pronounced Zsabi) Alonso and often misspelt as Xavi Alonso (born 25 November 1981 in Tolosa, Basque Region, Spain) is a Spanish footballer who plays for Liverpool F.C.. He wears the number 14 shirt at Liverpool and is a central midfielder, often playing as a deep-lying playmaker. He is regarded as one of the best passers of the football in the world today.

He was signed by Rafael Benítez, the then newly appointed manager of Liverpool, from Real Sociedad for a fee of £10.5m. Alonso has played for Spain at Euro 2004 and the 2006 World Cup.

Alonso arrived at Liverpool from Real Sociedad in August 2004. He made his Premiership debut for the Merseysiders against Bolton Wanderers at The Reebok Stadium on 29 August 2004, a game that Liverpool lost 1-0. His first goal for Liverpool came from a free kick against Fulham on 16 October 2004. Liverpool were losing 2-0 at half-time, but Alonso's arrival as a substitute inspired a revival and an eventual 4-2 win.^[1]

Although a newcomer to the English league, Alonso has impressed with his vision and an exceptional range of passing. After an initial settling-in period, he established himself as one of the mainstays of Liverpool's midfield. He has become a permanent fixture of Benitez' sides and has endeared many fans with his long-range passing ability and deft touches to open opposition teams up, plus his commitment in defending. These, coupled with his steady composure and the ability to shoot with confidence, qualify him as one of the best in Europe to play in the central-midfield role.

After breaking his ankle following a tackle from Frank Lampard in Liverpool's 1-0 defeat to Chelsea on New Year's Day 2005, Alonso was ruled out of action for more than three months. He made his return earlier than expected in the second leg of the Champions League quarter final against Juventus. In the absence of skipper Steven Gerrard through injury, Alonso played for all 90 minutes, as Liverpool gained an improbable 0-0 draw in Italy to defeat the eventual Italian Champions on aggregate. Gerrard would later repay the favour to Alonso in the very next round, when Alonso was suspended from the second leg of the semi-final against Chelsea. Gerrard steered Liverpool to a 1-0 win with the help of a Luis García goal, putting Liverpool in the final against A.C. Milan.

In the Champions League final, Alonso played a crucial role as Liverpool completed an incredible comeback from 3-0 down at half-time to level the scores at 3-3. At 3-2, Liverpool were awarded a penalty, which Alonso stepped up to take. While Dida, Milan's acclaimed Brazilian goalkeeper, managed to save the penalty, Alonso fired the rebound into the roof of the net, making it 3-3. Liverpool went on to win the European Cup on penalties, capping off a very successful first year for Xabi Alonso in England.

On 7 January 2006, in a thrilling FA Cup third-round tie against Luton Town, Alonso assisted Liverpool to a 5-3 comeback victory after being down 3-1 early in the second half, by scoring two amazing goals: one from 40 yards, and the other from well inside his own half (65 yards from goal), as the opposition keeper had gone to the Liverpool penalty area to attack a corner kick. Astonishingly, it later transpired that a Liverpool fan had earlier placed a £200 bet on Alonso scoring from within his own half at some point in the 2005-06 season, and won £25,000 as a result.^[2]

During a 3-1 victory over Portsmouth on 7 May 2006, Alonso suffered an injury to his ankle in the 41st minute, which put his participation in the FA Cup Final in doubt. He recovered sufficiently to start the game, however, and, despite having to be taken off during the second half, he ended the day with a winners' medal against West Ham United .

Alonso was named in the Spanish squad for the 2006 World Cup. He scored Spain's first World Cup 2006 goal (his first international goal) against Ukraine on 14 June 2006.

On 20 September 2006 Alonso scored what the BBC described as "an outrageous strike" from his own half against Newcastle in a midweek Premiership fixture.^[3] In an interview on Sky News television, Alonso claimed he practises such long-range goals in training. Both goals were very similar, struck from inside his own half, but Alonso was in no doubt which was the best. He said, "I think this was better. The Luton goal bounced a few times, this one went quite straight. The Luton one was left-footed - it was different - but I am quite happy to score the goal." It was his first goal for Liverpool since the goal against Luton, making him the only outfield player in the modern professional game to score two consecutive goals for his club from inside his own half of the pitch.^{[citation needed]} Liverpool went on to win the game 3-0.

Friday, June 8th, 2007 Xabi Alonso became the 4th player of June to re-sign with Liverpool. Signing a 5-year contract, which will last until 2012, Xabi Alonso has silenced a flurry of transfer rumours.

In early 2008, Alonso lost his place to Javier Mascherano, but then Liverpool boss Rafael Benítez changed his formation by moving Steven Gerrard further forward as a second striker, which meant Xabi has been recalled back to the team since by putting in some decent performances.