Alonso reveals double incentive
Xabi Alonso is determined to provide the spark which helps Liverpool win the Champions League tonight and end Anfield’s 21-year wait for a fifth victory on the biggest stage in European club football.
But Alonso is also out to score a victory for club and country – the country being Spain, where Liverpool have been adopted as popular favourites for the final against AC Milan.
The Spanish support for Liverpool has swelled following the exits of Deportivo La Coruna, Real Madrid, Valencia and Barcelona.
Liverpool and Rafael Benitez’s growing Spanish contingent will be widely supported by their countrymen tonight when the Reds tackle the Italian giants at the Ataturk Stadium.
Alonso is joined in the Liverpool squad for the final by Josemi, Luis Garcia and Antonio Nunez, but Fernando Morientes is cup-tied after featuring for Real Madrid earlier in the competition.
Alonso said: “We know we are being followed in Spain, and from our point of view we will try to bring the trophy home for them too.
“But since I arrived in England, I realised how big this club is and how long the supporters have waited for real glory, and it is for them that I want to win the European crown now.”
Benitez even has three Spaniards on his backroom staff, while the referee, Manuel Enrique Mejuto Gonzalez, provides another link.
That has been an appointment which raised a fee eyebrows, even though Liverpool have played down the association.
Discussing the official, Alonso said: “I do not mind that the referee is Spanish, but he is a very professional man and for me that is all that counts.”
Benitez agreed, adding: “I know that Milan have made no comment on the referee, and they feel also that he is a great professional.
“We also know that everyone in Spain is watching us and hoping we win, that is important for us but we want this trophy for our supporters and the people of Liverpool.”
Benitez sees Alonso as crucial to his game-plan, explaining: “He is playing well and with his form for sure he will be playing.”
Alonso has won over the Kop with his skilful influence in midfield, alongside Steven Gerrard, Dietmar Hamann and Igor Biscan.
“This is a big chance for us, once you are here you want to win,” said the former Real Sociedad man.
“During Liverpool’s history they have done great things and in the second leg against Chelsea I began to realise just how big the club was.
“The atmosphere was astonishing and everyone was looking to the final and I really began to realise the excitement.
“Afterwards I could not wait for this final because I had been forced to watch (the second leg of the semi-final) from the directors’ box because I was suspended.
“This is now the most important game in my career, it is a great achievement for everyone at the club to be here.
“We have all prepared well, rested and studied Milan’s play, so we know we will do our best.”
Benitez has no injury worries and must chose between Milan Baros and Djibril Cisse for what seems likely to be a lone striker’s role.
Defender Sami Hyypia, the former club captain, believes Liverpool are on the cusp of a bright new future.
“Learning the history is good and a lot of the old players are giving us their support, and now I believe that when we win this trophy it will be the start of a good era and all the players here will be in the history books,” said the Finn.
“That would kick-start the club to win more things and everyone knows that the club is in good hands with this manager.
“For us it is important that there is someone in charge who knows his football. That has got us to the later stages of this tournament.”
The 31-year-old centre-back accepts he may never be presented with such an opportunity again.
“It will be my only chance to win this cup and I do not intend to let it slip away easily,” he said.
“Over the years I have been at the club I have seen the expectation, everyone is always remembering the good days when Liverpool were dominant in Europe.”
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