When Xabi Alonso patrolled the Liverpool engine room under Rafa Benitez during the noughties, he famously made up one-quarter of ‘the best midfield in the world’ along with Momo Sissoko, Steven Gerrard and Javier Mascherano.
Signed from Real Sociedad in a £10.7m deal in August 2004 when still only 22 years old, his arrival at Anfield was seen as something of a transfer coup. Already a full Spain international, he had long been tipped for greatness and the subject of interest from Real Madrid, only for his compatriot to lure him to Merseyside.
Wasting no time in making his mark at Liverpool, wowing supporters with his passing ability in particular, the midfielder quickly became a fan-favourite. And as the Spanish Rafalution took hold at Anfield, Kopites realised that, in amongst the new signings of Josemi and Antonio Nunez, Benitez had signed a player truly special.
