On Wednesday 25th May 2005, a Liverpool team walked onto the pitch at the Ataturk Stadium in Istanbul. At the core of this team were the local duo of Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher; little did they know that they were about to experience a night which would reduce most Liverpool fans to exhaustion for a mixture of reasons. The Scouse duo were key to victory on this night, but so too was a certain Spanish midfield maestro, Xabi Alonso. It was Alonso of course, who scored the all important rebound from his penalty to bring the game level at 3-3 and through doing so, won the hearts of Reds fans everywhere.
It is frightening to look at the squad list for the final in '05 and compare it to the current squad which Benitez has put together. Whilst at times some fans have perhaps been left puzzled and perplexed at Benitez's transfer dealings, it's incredibly difficult to argue that the squad hasn't been improved significantly. If Alonso goes, then only the Captain and Vice Captain shall remain from that famous night.
Benitez has not allowed sentimentality to rule his head when wheeling and dealing in the transfer market; Robbie Fowler is arguably the exception to this. Just look at how ruthlessly Robbie Keane was returned to Tottenham Hotspur in January of last season. Many fans felt that Keane had been badly treated by Benitez; they claimed he wasn't given enough chances to prove he was worthy of leading the Liverpool attack. The result of the fan's wishes; Keane sold back to Spurs for a fee considerably less than LFC paid for him just 7 months before. Benitez defended his actions by claiming the media pressure to play Keane was disrupting the squad, and it was essential to sell him then, as due to his age (29) the club were unlikely to get a similar fee in the next summer transfer window.
The team that started in Istanbul consisted of: Dudek, Finnan, Carragher, Hyppia, Traore, Luis Garcia, Gerrard, Alonso, Riise, Kewell, and Baros. If Alonso goes, the 'Rafalution' will be complete. Gerrard and Carragher have to be in the team to maintain the local spine; but the question which arises is, are Liverpool stronger with or without Alonso? After the Gareth Barry saga of last summer which almost saw Alonso leave to Juventus, his relationship with Rafa has been strained. Last season saw him become Liverpool fan's Player of the Season, and he was unquestionably, a key player for the team.
So Rafa can look at the outcome of Alonso's possible departure in two ways; firstly, if Alonso stays, then he can look at the player's performance of last season and be assured that, given the World Cup coming up, Alonso will give his all for the team; not just to win a place in Spain's squad for South Africa, but also to bring Liverpool's 19th title to Anfield.
If Alonso does go, Benitez can use the large transfer fee to strengthen the squad. Although Alonso was a key player for the club last season, Mascherano was much more important. Mascherano is the type of dynamo Liverpool need in their midfield to make it tick.
The reported fee of around £28 million Real are prepared to pay is a wonderful piece of business for the club too. Alonso is now 28, he is Spanish, and it was always known to the club that one day he would return to Spain to finish his career. Liverpool have got a tremendous service from him for 5 years, now it is time to move on and for Rafa to develop the next squad of Champions.
To sum it up; Alonso is a luxury Liverpool can afford to lose.