The tributes and supportive messages come streaming in from all across the world for Steven Gerrard. The former Liverpool captain announced that he would be retiring from all forms of competitive football and after a 19-year senior career; it all comes to an end.
The 36-year-old will be remembered for his time at the Merseyside club and especially the 2005 UEFA Champions League final but there was just one title that eluded him in the English game which is the Premier League title.
Liverpool did come close in the years under Rafa Benitez and one player from that era shared his thoughts about the former Liverpool captain.
A Spaniard doing his best across the world
Xabi Alonso did have a huge part to play in the 2005 final as he scored the third goal which made the score line 3-3 against AC Milan. Alonso scored a penalty after it was saved by Dida and he had just three worlds to say about the Liverpool star.
“The Legend Forever”
The Legend Forever. pic.twitter.com/0spWLyP1JY
— Xabi Alonso (@XabiAlonso) November 24, 2016
Alonso was one of the best players at the club during those glorious Rafa Benitez years and even after leaving the Reds for Real Madrid in 2009, Liverpool still have not been able to find the perfect replacement for him.
The Spaniard is known for his incredible range of passing and amazing composure on the ball and a midfield of him and Javier Mascherano dominated many Premier League sides between them. Both have moved on with Mascherano winning multiple titles with Barcelona and Alonso doing the same with Real Madrid at first and now with Bayern Munich.
Alonso did have some great times at the club and won the FA Cup in 2006 as well and he has often stated that he will always have a special place in his heart for the Merseyside club. Even to this day, many Liverpool fans would want Xabi back at the club as he could provide a lot of quality to the side.
The relationship between Alonso and the Liverpool players, past and present, might be great but the breakdown between Benitez and the former Real Sociedad man has been the talk for many over the years.
Alonso might not be playing for the Reds anymore but he still is a legend, even though he spent just five years at the club. Had he remained at the club, who knows what we might have been able to achieve but he did make a name for himself here and did give us a number of great memories.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oyDhiGjIJHE
