Alonso - Incredible But Not Irreplaceable

Greg Ptolomey believes that Liverpool should be able to compensate for the loss of their departed playmaker।

Real Madrid are in the process of adding what they feel is the final piece of an elaborate and expensive summer puzzle, signing deep-lying playmaker Xabi Alonso in a €34 million deal. In doing so, they could be taking a key element away form Liverpool by swooping for their long-unsettled dark horse.The story behind Alonso finally handing in a transfer request and booking a one-way ticket to Madrid, despite have a crucial role to play in Liverpool's 'to be continued' domestic resurgence, is a bitter one.The inside scoop appears to be thus: the relationship between Alonso and Anfield gaffer Rafael Benitez first soured when the boss fell out with former assistant Paco Ayestaran, who was axed upon embracing Jose Mourinho at the height of Rafa's feud with the ex-Chelsea tactician.Ayestaran and Alonso were reportedly very close, and in the aftermath Benitez saw Alonso's support of the assistant as a further sign of disloyalty. Then came the infamous scenario wherein Alonso decided to attend the birth of his son rather than be with the Reds as they faced Inter in the Champions League, further infuriating Rafa, who had already been sending hints to the midfielder suggesting that he wanted him out.Strike three, of course, was Liverpool's botched pursuit of Gareth Barry, and although time and the highs of last season have served to heal some of the damage between player and manager, the wounds would appear to have run too deep.That's not to say that Xabi won't take many fond memories away from Merseyside. He was able to blossom with the club, whilst adding technical quality to what was a rough-and-ready side when he joined. He won the Champions League and the European Super Cup in 2005, and playing in England certainly didn't stop him from achieving international success, winning Euro 2008 with Spain.There's Something About XabiSo how much will Liverpool really miss Xabi? He appears cold and calculating on and off the field; you'll rarely get a smile out of him, much less an inspirational team-talk. However, he's said to be warmer than he appears on the surface around his team-mates, yet from that point of view the Reds surely aren't losing a massive leadership presence.Still, the guy must have something about him beyond raw football ability, as a great many footballers have all the talent in the world, yet lack the other great intangibles needed to lead a team – and Xabi has done that even without appearing to have the personality to do so. Last season, the bestubbled maestro had a big hand in helping the Reds to cruise without Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres during their periods of injury. Sky Sports further report that 'Pool have won 67 games with Alonso in the side and just 46 without.In terms of a replacement, though, the man under the microscope is Roma's Alberto Aquilani. He is another player blessed with natural footballing attributes, but his mentality has come under even more scrutiny than Alonso's, and that's even before worrying about his perma-crock label. The positives are obvious, though: Benitez should be able to mold him without friction as he adjusts to England; he's an unknown quantity to the rest of the 'Big Four', who know the ins-and-outs of Alonso's game.Rafa isn't daft, of course – he'll know that Aquilani isn't going to step in as a ready-made replacement for Alonso any more than Antonio Valencia is going to win the Ballon d'Or at Manchester United. If he's missing a trick, it's perhaps that he could have replaced Alonso with a much more obvious personality, and given his side one more big, bold shunt in the direction of the Premier League crown. Gerrard, Jamie Carragher, Javier Mascherano and Fernando Torres all plot the Reds' course in their own way, but the Premier League trophy still had the wrong red ribbons on it last term.Gareth Barry, of course, may just have been the man for the job – but then again it would be naive to claim that Liverpool would win the title with Barry in place of Alonso. Short of Cesc Fabregas – and probably not even then – that like-for-like switcheroo perhaps wouldn't be enough.Luckily, Xabi's departure and the timely cash injection could nudge Benitez outside the box, and the likes of Valencia's David Silva or Aston Villa's Ashley Young could re-enter his thoughts. Someone as versatile as Silva would be preferable, it must be said: his comfort on the ball and willingness to track back would fill more holes than a winger such as Young. Such an X-factor, following the exciting addition of Glen Johnson as a high-octane right-back, could potentially make this into a championship winning side.Rafa's bow remains impressive, and lets not forget that this is a team who came second in the Premier League, despite having some set-backs that would have damaged lesser teams further. After a half-dozen games, Xabi's void may be evident and questions might be asked. However, if his departure gives Rafa the impetus to round off his team and make them a more complete attacking force, especially at home, then surely the fans will be able to close a complicated chapter quickly.