Xabi to the Rescue

Liverpool smacked down their challenge for the title as they halted Chelsea’s superior home record of 86 games not out with a glorified 1-0 win.
Xabi Alonso’s deflected goal was the difference between the teams but it did not say enough about his nor the team’s performance.
Stamford Bridge had become a fortress and, excuse the pun, the Bridge has now fallen as Liverpool may have sent shock waves throughout the Premiership. It may help teams grasp to head to Chelsea thinking that they have a chance of achieving a result.
To his credit Rafael Benitez have got his tactics spot on this season (par the Stoke City game) and he looks as if he has learnt that Liverpool need to keep the same steady spine to maintain the early season form.
I do find it ironic that the man Benitez wanted to get rid off was the man who has been consistently performing well this season. Xabi Alonso was heading out with the rest of the Anfield exodus, before Martin O’Neill ruthlessly stopped Gareth Barry joining the Red half of Merseyside.
The ex-Real Soceidad midfielder has stated that he had no intentions to leave Anfield and he wanted to say, too much delight of the Kop faithful. He may have been plying his trade for Juventus or even Arsenal but, in the end, Benitez must have been pleased to keep hold of the Spaniard as his commitment as shown through.
It was a considerable amount of money. Alonso is a very talented passer and with Javier Mascherano and Captain Steven Gerrard alongside him in midfield, Liverpool may have one of the most accomplished midfields in the world.
His ability to link play together helps Gerrard to express himself offensively as Mascherano carries out the necessary donkeywork to ensure that The Reds are not hit on the counter attack.
Alonso can hold back and pick up the ball from Jamie Carragher and bring the full backs into play. His ‘Hollywood’ passes are, on occasions, breath taking and this is one thing that he is possibly the best in the world in doing. Changing defence into attack with one swift pass is a forte in his play and his is very rarely left wondering or out of position.
With Fernando Torres’s pace, he must love playing with his fellow compatriot.
Alonso is often known in scoring fantastic goals as those fans that saw the half way line strikes against Luton Town and Newcastle United will tell you.
With Benitez missing out on an overpriced Barry, Liverpool may have found a rejuvenated world-class midfielder who has been reluctant to wholly express himself. Now he has to perform week in and week out to make sure he will not be heading out the door.
Whilst Liverpool try to maintain their spectacular early season form, Alonso may be a hairpin to their success.