Source: Telegraph
Xabi Alonso admits Liverpool have had dip in form but says title bid still on
Liverpool beat a poor Chelsea side last weekend to keep the pressure on leaders Manchester United, but Preston North End are the only other team they have beaten this calendar year. [LNB]United lead by two points and crucially have a game in hand. With Steven Gerrard picking up an injury, that will keep him out for three weeks, in Liverpool's FA Cup defeat to Everton, the club are entering a crucial and testing phase of the season. [LNB]Alonso maintains his long-term future remains with a club that are 'in his blood', despite suggestions he would leave last summer. [LNB]However, the Spaniard believes Liverpool need to quickly learn how to break down teams set on little more than defending against them if they are to win a first league title since 1990. [LNB]'The fact is right now we probably aren't playing as well as we were a month ago when we were a bit fresher and our level of play was much more fluid,' said Alonso, speaking to the Sun newspaper. [LNB]'These are the normal ups and downs of a season - no way are we in bad shape. Maybe what is concerning us a bit is when teams just line up in massed defence against us. [LNB]'It's costing us a bit more to unlock them and we have to make sure such games aren't as complicated as we seem to be making them. [LNB]'Since I moved to Liverpool this is still, without question, our best chance to win the league title. This squad has the necessary players for the task, there's a good feeling in the club. And I still believe things are looking good. [LNB]'We know who our key rivals are, with United and Chelsea being the standout opponents. [LNB]'OK, we need to start playing better and winning but the three points against Chelsea were very important. Rafa has made us into a team which stays compact and firm and which moves the ball with quick intelligence. [LNB]'We've got quick-moving and quick-thinking players throughout our side and when we play good football our speed is our key.' [LNB]Alonso has proved one of the most effective members of Rafa Benitez's team this campaign - an irony lost on few after he appeared to be surplus to requirements just six months ago, with a move to either Juventus or Arsenal mooted to make room for the summer signing of Gareth Barry. [LNB]That deal never came off and Alonso stayed at the club, much to the delight of most supporters, and has been bossing midfields throughout the season. [LNB]Alonso, who has been at Liverpool for four-and-a-half years, feels at home at the club and forms part of the Spanish contingent that has done so much to take them to within sight of the title. [LNB]'I don't like it when people seem to think contracts count for nothing," he said. [LNB]'I've got three years more with Liverpool and so do most of the key players around me. If you love football, then Liverpool is the club for you. This is football at its absolute, its purest - the people, the club, the stadium, the tradition. [LNB]'I know that when, eventually, I return to Spain it will be with Liverpool in my blood and as an out-and-out Reds fan. [LNB]'But I insist this - I've got three more years here and I expect to fulfil them. [LNB]'I'm totally adapted to the English customs, apart from the general theme of food and meals. [LNB]'The dishes aren't great - I've got to supplement what you can buy here with loads of supplies constantly brought over by my family when they visit. I'm not sure about the idea of eating the evening meal at 6pm! [LNB]'But I'm surrounded by great guys like Pepe who is hyper-active - too much so. [LNB]'He's another guy who saves me because it's amazing how many visitors he has who bring him Spanish food - he's like a mobile larder. Fernando is the serious one of the gang - if there are laughs to be had, he'll join in like a good guy. But he's dead serious about his football. [LNB]'And then there's Albert. If anything he's 'over-adapted' to the Melwood way of life. Two days into his Liverpool career, he knew everyone and was chatting to the entire world. [LNB]'English football is great, serious, well-run and well-marketed. I've got Anfield in my blood and hopefully it will have me for a long time to come.'[LNB]
