Spain

After Five Years At Liverpool I Needed A Change - Real Madrid's Xabi Alonso

The silky playmaker has admitted the time was right to swap red for white...

Nov 15, 2009 4:25:41 PM

Mata, Xabi Alonso, Busquets, Spain, Argentina (Getty Images)

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Mata, Xabi Alonso, Busquets, Spain, Argentina (Getty Images)

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Xabi Alonso

Real Madrid midfielder Xabi Alonso has insisted that his five years at Liverpool left him craving a change of direction, and that proved to be the catalyst for his move to the Bernabeu in the summer.

Alonso joined the Reds for a fee of £10m in 2004 and became an integral part of Rafa Benitez’s side at Anfield, guiding them to a Champions League and F.A. Cup triumph.

But the 27-year old, who scored both goals in Spain’s friendly victory over Argentina on Saturday evening, has stated that the time was right to move on and progress his career in his homeland.

Alonso told magazine Hala Madrid, “I felt after five years at such a historic club like Liverpool that it was time for a change. Coming to Real Madrid gave me a very important incentive.

“Five years ago I had the opportunity to come but it did not occur, and now I felt it was time.”

Alonso is of the opinion that the current Los Blancos squad is capable of great things this season, but also acknowledged that there remains room for improvement in coach Manuel Pellegrini’s team.

He added, “There are certain things in the side that need polished, we are currently doing well, but we are not doing so well that that we should not try to improve, because we are ambitious.

“The goal is to go far in all competitions and then hopefully we can get a title.”

Paul Macdonald, Goal.com