The Benitez Era & Istanbul Miracle (2005)
The midfield metronome who sparked Liverpool's greatest comeback.
Xabi Alonso moved to Liverpool in 2004 for £10.5 million and won the UEFA Champions League in his first season, scoring in the final.
- Manager
- Rafael Benítez
- Arrival Year
- 2004
- Departure Year
- 2010
- Major Trophy
- UEFA Champions League (2005)
- League Finish 2004-05
- 3rd Place
Lore & Background
In the 2005 UEFA Champions League final, Liverpool trailed 3-0 at halftime before mounting a second-half comeback. The three goals were scored by Steven Gerrard, Vladimír Šmicer, and Xabi Alonso. Alonso scored the equalizer, making it 3-3, and Liverpool went on to win the trophy on penalties.
In Their Own Story
The stadium lights hummed over the Atatürk Olympic Stadium as Jerzy Dudek stared at the penalty spot. The air was thick with smoke from flares, blurring the faces of the Italian giants waiting to strike. He changed his gloves one last time, black against the white lines. The referee blew the whistle; the ball struck the netting, and Anfield erupted across the world.
Reader's Guide
Alonso's role at Liverpool was as a deep-lying playmaker, known for his passing range and long-distance shooting. He later won the UEFA Super Cup, the FA Cup, and the FA Community Shield with the club before moving to Real Madrid in 2009.
Did You Know?
- Alonso scored in the 2005 Champions League final, his first season at Liverpool.
- He won the Champions League again with Real Madrid in 2014.
- Alonso is the son of former Spain international Periko Alonso.
More in Club History & Eras
Elsewhere in the Liverpool FC universe
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