Xabi Alonso would love to score

By Redsfan
May 24 2005

Xabi Alonso dreams of scoring in the Champions League final. Though confident that he and his team mates can lift the cup, he still hasn’t come to terms with the fact that they are there. Xabi has enjoyed his first year at Anfield and enjoys the respect and love the Kop give him.

"I have a dream of what I want to achieve," he said. "I dream of winning in Istanbul with me scoring. And that will mean Rafa Benitez wins the tournament.

"He deserves it - he is already a winner. People love him. He thinks about games a lot and he has shown that with his European success. He knows exactly how to win.

"You don't have the chance to play in a Champions League Final every day. It takes a while to get used to the idea.

"You have to assimilate it. Enjoy it bit by bit. It's hard to take in all the wonderful things that are happening."

Alonso suffered heart-break at the semi-final stage of the competition when a yellow card at Chelsea ruled him out of the return leg at Anfield.

He added: "That suspension depressed me a lot. It was the most important match of the season and I didn't know whether we were going to make it through.

"But my team-mates gave me a great present and now I'm going to be in the final. I watched from the stands but when the game finished I went on the field to celebrate with everyone else. I didn't want to miss out on the atmosphere.

"I'm very happy, euphoric even. Apart from the injury I suffered, which I've now totally recovered from, I have had a great year.

"I'm lacking physical depth and sharpness with the ball. I have only played a few games since my reappearance after four months out. I am clearly lacking something.

"But the fans have always given me a marvellous reception. They have a lot of love for me and I always notice that on the pitch."

He added: "Anything can happen in a final. We are better under pressure.

"When everyone is looking at just one game we concentrate harder and play well. We're stronger in Europe than in the Premiership which is difficult to explain. I feel we can beat anyone.

"What is happening at Liverpool is a huge adventure and I was ready for this change in culture.

"Many teams in England still play the long ball but little by little coaches are placing more emphasis on the pause and the pass. Knowing how to vary the pace of the match.

"Arsenal have managed to do it, they have a style. That's what Liverpool are after. If we manage to get to the style Benitez wants, we will be a very difficult team to beat."

Hopefully AC Milan will discover that tomorrow night!