Xabi - underrated genius?

Montse · April 6, 2006

Not a bad piece this on our Xabi.....

Alonso's Underrated Genius

Paul Grech

"His is not the mesmerising brilliance of a Ronaldinho, yet those boots are still capable of magic."

The day after they beat West Bromwich Albion 2-0, Liverpool fans were informed by one of the Sunday broadsheets that Xabi Alonso?s beautifully weighted 70 yard through ball that set up Djibril Cisse for the second goals was merely a ?hopeful punt from just outside the penalty box.?

It was one of those instances that genuinely make you wonder not only what match whoever wrote this was watching but also what he had been smoking or sniffing.

Sadly, whilst such misapprehension is inexcusable when coming from the press box, it is hardly uncommon. For there are still many under the impression that Liverpool?s only midfielder of note is Steven Gerrard.

After almost two yeas of playing in the Premiership, Alonso is still largely under-rated. Not by most Liverpool fans, who have long realised his brilliance, but rather by those whose opinion is too easily shaped by the occasional match highlights that they see.

His is not the mesmerising brilliance of a Ronaldinho, yet those boots are still capable of magic. All that anyone who is yet to be convinced should do is keep an eye on Alonso for any length of time. Only then will they appreciate just how precise his passing is ? irrespective of the distance involved ? or just how aware he is of what everyone is doing around him. It is only because Alonso is so talented that all this seems to come to him so effortlessly even if closely man marked.

In Benitez?s improving side, Alonso has become as central a figure as the captain. Whilst Gerrard is the heart of the side ? always pumping away and rushing forward ? Alonso is the mind. He is constantly picking the right options, putting players into a good position, ensuring that he himself is in the right spot not only to receive a pass but also to see that the Liverpool back four have plenty of cover.

Because Alonso is not just a fancy-dan, he can also tackle. Before his first game against Manchester United, there were those who voiced their reservation over his ability to stand up to Roy Keane. Benitez assured them that, being a Basque, Alonso would more than handle himself.

And it?s true. His tackling is as tough as that of Gerrard, only more judicious. At the latest Merseyside derby, with the captain sent off early on, Alonso ran and fought enough for two players. It is also because of his masterful show that Liverpool managed to overcome the fact that they were playing with ten men. It was probably his best game in a Liverpool shirt and certainly the finest showing of the afternoon yet no one seemed to pick this up.

On this occasion, even the Liverpool fans were guilty. Whilst late on in the game they were still serenading Gerrard ? the players whose foolish sending off had put his team in such a difficult position ? Alonso barely got a mention and that?s also down to the fact they?ve still to think up a chant for him. Another slight to this underrated genius.

clicky

cymrococh · April 6, 2006

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