???️ Happy Birthday Xabi Alonso

Xabi Alonso is 36 today! A fan favourite at Anfield after spending five years in Merseyside, which will live much longer in the memories of any Red that was fortunate enough to see him play in England.Bought for £10.5m as Rafa Benitez’s first signing along with Luis Garcia, it is fair to say his performances weren’t bad.In his first season, he already reached the top by scoring the equalising goal in the Champions League Final, cementing his place in LFC history only nine months after joining from Real Sociedad.Alonso scored 19 goals in his career, which can be summed up by saying that they were 16 worldies and three penalties.There can be no article about Xabi Alonso at Liverpool without mentioning “those” two goals, against Luton Town and Newcastle United.At Kenilworth Road, with Liverpool 4-3 up, the Hatters had a corner, which goalkeeper Beresford came up for, and was dealt with by Liverpool and found Alonso who shot from way inside his own half towards the empty net which trickled in to wrap up a historic 5-3 win after being 3-1 down.The other, at Anfield, against Newcastle United in a 2-0 win, was when nothing seemed to be on. Alonso had the ball 70 yards from goal, behind the centre circle, like a midfielder normally would. But if anyone can make something out of nothing, it’s Xabi Alonso. He shot high towards the Kop, caught Steve Harper off balance who slipped and the ball bounced into the goal.Five years, not enough. But five years that will never be forgotten, and a man who will remain an Anfield legend. Happy birthday, Xabi Alonso.