Liverpool’s midfield of 2008/09 was a sumptuous affair, elevated by a trio who very nearly won the Reds a title.
In the holding role, marrying elegance and grit was Javier Mascherano, a player on the cusp of dominating the footballing landscape with Barcelona.
Given license to roam and destroy was Steven Gerrard, one of the best roamers and destroyers in Premier League history, and a superstar who could change the live betting odds in an instant via a 30-yard piledriver.
In between these majestic talents, Xabi Alonso glided like a recently fed panther beneath an afternoon sun. Everything he did was slick, sleek, and sexy.
He was pure continental elan, capable of all manner of tekkers at a time when English midfields were fundamentally changing for the better before our very eyes. No longer were we beholden to hard men and grafters. Now we favoured style and scope.
Alonso was a master of style and scope, blessed with an exquisite touch and a quick, clever brain, along with a passing range that delighted.
And should we forget – and we really shouldn’t – this is also a man who twice scored for Liverpool from inside his own half. One with his left foot. One with his right.
He arrived at Anfield aged 23, bought from Real Sociedad for £10.7m as Rafa Benitez strived to make the club he had just inherited less reliant on ‘passion’ and endeavour.
Initially his poise and skinny physique seemed like an ill-fit for the frenetic environs of the Premier League but in due course we came to realise that Alonso had an edge to him.
He could ‘put it about’ with the best of them and indeed appeared to thrive most when the tackles flew in. All the better to weave around them.
Still, his opening campaign was a steep learning curve, one that saw him score some important goals from distance but also drift on occasions as a game by-passed him.
That year ended with the ‘Miracle of Istanbul’, with Alonso playing a pivotal part in the Reds’ European adventure but even so it was very clear there were greater things to come.
Xabi Alonso received a standing ovation in his final ever game 😢
— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) May 20, 2017
💪 815 career games
🏆 17 trophies won
A fitting farewell for a legend! pic.twitter.com/OO1LE3SSiM
The player nickname ‘La Barba Roja’ (Red Beard) was an ever-present the following season, as Liverpool lifted the FA Cup in dramatic fashion, and what most stands out from this period is the signing of Peter Crouch that led to Liverpool going direct when needed.
Is it ‘long ball’ football when the delivery is sent first-class from a velvet boot? Or is it a cultured, searching pass?
That perhaps is a debate for another time. What we know for sure is that Alonso, at this juncture, had established himself as a conductor at Anfield, influential to all that was good about them. Moreover, he was a player so thoroughly watchable for neutrals.
It was in 2008/09 though when he really came to the fore, surrounded as he was by two sublime talents who shared his philosophy. Two sublime talents at their peak. It was a triumvirate for the ages.
Presently, Liverpool are distantly-priced in the football betting to attain a top four spot. They’re potent up top, hapless at times at the back, and soft in the middle.
What they wouldn’t give to have their former schemer back in his prime. Producing moments of magic while making it all look just so damn easy.
