Alonso's scorcher joins the greats

Last updated : 21 September 2006 By Daily Telegraph

As Liverpool fans paused momentarily in astonishment before raising the rafters, the mind struggled to recall similar long-distance feats. Certainly, the Basque's gem was on a par with Nayim's classic from the halfway line for Real Zaragoza against Arsenal in the 1995 European Cup Winners' Cup final, David Beckham's immense drive against Wimbledon, even Alonso's own magnificent long-ranger in the FA Cup at Luton Town last term.

This was undeniably special, so good that Liverpool fans spent the remaining 12 minutes of the match screaming "shoot" whenever the ball fell at the clever feet of Alonso, even when he was almost on the edge of his own box.

Until last night, Alonso had struggled to find his usual smooth-passing rhythm. Memories of his early-season blues were obliterated in a blur of red when he picked up possession in his own half, on the edge of the centre circle.

If this had been at the K Club, Alonso would have engaged in lengthy consultation with his caddie and the yardage charts. The route to the target was so far, but Alonso loves a challenge. According to his manager, Rafa Benitez, Alonso relishes long-rangers in training.

"I am always talking to him about it,"' smiled Benitez. "I was saying to him yesterday: 'Be careful if you try it, make sure you are properly warmed up.' But it was one amazing goal."

Spotting Steve Harper off his line, Alonso lifted the ball goalwards, and it flew through the air, 40,000-odd pairs of eyes mesmerised by its long-haul journey. Harper slipped as the ball dropped over his head into the net.

"Steve is distraught, because he is a top-class pro," said Glenn Roeder, Newcastle's manager. "He thinks he has let the lads down, but he hasn't. If Alonso wasn't so wonderfully technical skilled, he wouldn't have hit the target. I don't think the average supporter would appreciate how difficult that is — a marvellous strike."

This was the Alonso that Anfield knows and loves, always showing an adventurous streak, always keeping the ball moving in midfield, even playing an important part in Dirk Kuyt's first-half opener.

The Spaniard swept a magnificent pass through Newcastle's defence, perfectly placed for Steve Finnan, whose cross was turned in by Kuyt. His first for Liverpool, Kuyt's touch was his 150th goal in a career stretching back to his early days as an amateur at Quick Boys in Katwijk aan Zee, before turning professional with FC Utrecht and Feyenoord.

The £10 million capture punched the air repeatedly, as Liverpool revelled in leading Newcastle. This fixture has always been competitive, and usually goal-laden, but it seems to have acquired an unnecessary niggly edge of late.

Kuyt's attacking accomplice, Craig Bellamy, seemed to be on a mission to trouble his former club. Racing on to an early pass from Luis Garcia, Bellamy shot straight at Harper, Shay Given's deputy, who made a low save.

Relieved, the travelling Toon Army poured scorn on Bellamy, formerly of the St James' parish until a falling-out with Alan Shearer, among others, sent the Welshman scurrying to pastures new. "You're just scared of Shearer," the Newcastle fans chanted at Bellamy. Shearer, sitting among the Newcastle executives, could not resist a smile.

The match briefly turned nasty. Bellamy had a bottle thrown at him. Then, Celestine Babayaro punched Kuyt in the face. The FA could act.

Controversy reigned at the start of the second half with Newcastle screaming for two penalties. First Daniel Agger appeared to catch Shola Ameobi. "I've seen Mark Halsey and he said it was offside anyway," said Roeder. The ball then thudded into Jamie Carragher's arm. "A blatant handball — probably the best save of the night," Bellamy added.

Frustration swept around Anfield, not least in Liverpool hearts when Kuyt (twice), Fabio Aurelio and Luis Garcia all went close. But then came Alonso. It was all over, bar the shouting in the tunnel where tempers spilled over briefly. "It was just shouting," Benitez said. "It was over in two seconds." Alonso's strike took longer.