Source: Liverpool_Echo
Liverpool FC 12 days of Christmas - Two goals from Xabi Alonso
As the festive season approaches, we have put together a special online 12 days of Christmas with a Liverpool FC twist. A new installment will be online at www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/lfc and www.liverpooldailypost.co.uk/lfc each day up to the 25th[LNB] Metronomic midfield maestro Xabi Alonso took no time at all to endear himself to Liverpool fans. After an impressive debut despite defeat away at Bolton in August 2004, the Spaniard showed his class in a home cameo against West Brom before making the Kop purr with every effortless pass and perfectly-weighted through ball as he orchestrated a 3-0 demolition of Norwich in September of that year.[LNB]Often likened to an American Football quaterback, Alonso's ability to drop deep and stretch teams with his fast and accurate passing was central to Rafael Benitez's Liverpool blueprint. The formidable trio of Alonso, Steven Gerrard and Javier Mascherano led Liverpool fans to boast of having "the best midfield in the world" - not without reason.[LNB] Xabi signs in at Anfield in August 2004 with fellow Spaniards Luis Garcia and Rafa Benitez Alonso's first goal for Liverpool against Fulham at Craven Cottage helps turn a two-goal half-time deficit into a resounding away win His first goal at Anfield finishes a wonderful cross-field move and lays the foundations for a memorable victory over Arsenal The end of the first season and the European Cup is up for grabs as AC Milan lie in wait in Istanbul First to react after his penalty was saved, Xabi hauls the Reds level after six minutes no Liverpudlian will ever forget Old Big Ears is lifted as Alonso and co write themselves into folklore A year later and Xabi is involved in another Cup comeback at Luton that ultimately ends in silverware A surreal 5-3 away win is clinched as Alonso scores from his own half despite Steven Gerrard's advice Another 70-yard effort has Newcastle keeper Steve Harper scrambling... ... and Liverpool celebrating another trademark Alonso long-range effort Liverpool v Manchester United.... Xabi Alonso trys to put a stop to Cristiano Ronaldo. Liverpool v Wigan Athlectic. Xabi Alonso climbs high for a goalmouth cross Liverpool tour of Asia in Hong Kong..Xabi Alonso at the Hong Kong stadium last night. Pic by Colin Lane Liverpool v Derby County....Alvaro Arbeloa jumps on Xabi Alonso for scoring Liverpool's 4th goal. Pic by Jason Roberts Liverpool v Wigan Athletic.Xabi Alonso celebrates with Torres after his goal. Pic by Jason Roberts Liverpool v inter milan........ xabi alonso before kick-off with black-eye from the barnsley game. Pic by Martin Birchall. Spain's Xabi Alonso talks with the press after a training session of the national soccer team of Spain in Vienna, Austria, on Friday, June 27, 2008. S ...Villarreal v liverpool...... a shirtless xabi alonso shakes hands with diego lopez after the final whistle. Pic by Andrew Teebay Rangers vs Liverpool preseason friendly at Ibrox.....Goal Four...Xabi Alonso scores the fourth from the penalty spot. Pic by Colin Lane Standard Liege vs Liverpool....Xabi Alonso shoots on goal. Pic by Colin Lane Villarreal v Liverpool. Xabi Alonso before kick-off. Pic by Andrew Teebay BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND - Sunday, August 31, 2008: Liverpool's Xabi Alonso rues a missed chance against Aston Villa during the Premiership match at Villa ...Liverpool v Stoke City. Xabi Alonso challenges mamady sidibe for the ball. Pic by Andrew Teebay An early left-foot strike in October 2008 ends Chelsea's 84-game unbeaten record at Stamford Bridge The pain of Merseyside derby defeat shows as Everton knock the Reds out of the FA Cup at Goodison Another cool conversion from the oenalty spot puts Liverpool two up in the epic 4-4 Champions League draw at Chelsea Alonso's last goal for Liverpool? A sweet volley after his own free-kick was blocked puts the Reds en route to three points at Hull St Gallen vs Liverpool in Switzerland...Keep Xabi Alonso banner. Pic by Colin Lane Bangkok, Thailand...Hundreds of Thai Liverpool fans turn up at Central World Shopping Mall to see Liverpool Players at Adidas shop event promting the ...Liverpool Fc Asia tour. James Pearce interviews Xabi Alonso. Pic by Colin Lane Singapore vs Liverpool at The National Stadium in Singapore, Liverpool's Preseason Tour of Asia....Liverpool Xabi Alonso comes off the bench. Pic by C ...Singapore vs Liverpool at The National Stadium in Singapore, Liverpool's Preseason Tour of Asia. Liverpool Xabi Alonso. Pic by Colin Lane Reds have many great memories of Alonso: turning 2-0 down into 4-2 up away at Craven Cottage, one of the best team goals in recent years against Arsenal at home, a heroic performance against Juventus in the Champions League, having the bottle to step up and take that penalty in Istanbul.[LNB]But more anything else perhaps, he will be remembered for two moments of magic against Luton and Newcastle.[LNB]See next page for video of Alonso's two stunning strikes >>>>>>
