Source: Daily_Mail
Steven Gerrard: I'm devastated that Liverpool let Xabi Alonso leave Anfield
Steven Gerrard was devastated when Xabi Alonso left Liverpool and admits the Reds have missed the Spaniard.[LNB]Liverpool captain Gerrard, who is injured and misses the Champions League clash with Lyon tonight (Wednesday), forged a good understanding with Alonso in midfield. [LNB]Alonso moved on to Real Madrid in the summer, since when Liverpool have struggled for form in the Premier League and Champions League. [LNB] Something missing: Gerrard admits the Reds have struggled without Alonso[LNB]It was a move which hit Gerrard hard. [LNB]'Devastated, yeah. Devastated. But there was nothing I could do about it,' he told FourFourTwo magazine. 'Xabi said a long time ago that he wanted another chapter in his career and finally he got it and his team-mates and the coaches couldn't stand in his way. We just have to say thanks and move forward without him.'[LNB]Real deal: Midfield maestro Alonso[LNB]Liverpool recouped around £30million for 27-year-old Alonso, and spent most of that on bringing replacement Alberto Aquilani to Anfield from Roma. [LNB]Aquilani missed the first two months of the season due to injury and Liverpool have already lost five Premier League matches. [LNB]Gerrard added: 'It's always going to be different when you lose one of the best players in the world - and people are finally realising that's what he is, on the back of his form for Real Madrid and the difference in us from last year. [LNB]'We've got other midfielders here doing a good job but it will take a while before Alonso's out of our system because he was such a top player.'[LNB] Rafa vows to walk tall through Lyon storm as Anfield anthem inspires Liverpool bossMARTIN SAMUEL: Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez has to be a Champions League Lyon tamerLiverpool limp in to Lyon with no defence for under-fire manager RafaTorres flies out as Rafa risks throwing injured Liverpool star into Lyons denJohn Arne Riise: Return to Liverpool? I'd rather stay at fourth-bottom RomaLIVERPOOL FC
