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I Will Watch The Merseyside Derby - Xabi Alonso

In an exclusive interview with Goal.com and the BBC's Ashish Sharma, Xabi Alonso re-lives some of his memories of the derbies he has played in. Everton take on Liverpool on the same day that Real Madrid face Barcelona.

Nov 29, 2009 10:25:00 AM

Xabi Alonso, Real Sociedad-Real Madrid (Marca)

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Xabi Alonso, Real Sociedad-Real Madrid (Marca)

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Xabi Alonso

Xabi Alonso's diary for Sunday may read something like this:

1. Wake up some time in the morning
2. Watch Liverpool play against Everton
3. Turn up for Real Madrid against Barcelona

The Madrid midfielder couldn't have probably conjured up such a scenario if asked to. The possibility that the first Merseyside derby following his departure from Anfield should happen on the day of his first ever Clasico is, as the player himself says, "unreal."

The preparation for the clasico has been interrupted by the Champions League programme for both Barca and Real, leaving the players less time to focus on their eternal rivals, but Alonso has been fully immersed in the build-up to what he says is a very different match to that of an Everton - Liverpool clash.

So what was that like?

"My memories of the derby game and the week previous to it are really special. It's a city passionate about football with more or less a fifty-fifty split and that makes it more special. Everyone is talking about the game, there is so much banter and with the Scouse sense of humour, it's actually really funny."

And Alonso has one particular memory that stands out.

"I remember there was a group of Everton fans. They were 13 or 14 years old and when they saw me they just started jumping all over my car. I didn't know what to do, so I just closed my windows, waited for the lights to turn green and then drove away.

But Alonso says that it was not a scary experience.

"No, not at all. They were not violent, they were just being funny, and anyway it wasn't my car. It was the club car, so maybe that's why I thought it was fun and I didn't mind." Alonso breaks into laughter.

The former Real Sociedad midfielder plans to watch the lunch time kick off before the clasico and says that it wouldn't be the first time he will be watching a Liverpool match.

"Each time I watch a Liverpool game I feel something special, especially whenever it's at Anfield, because it brings back great memories. It was such a short time ago that I was playing there. For me it's the most special stadium with the nicest atmosphere in football and it brings back great memories for me.

"And in a Merseyside derby it's different. Both sets of supporters have so much at stake in just that one game, which is why it makes it more important."

But who does he think will win the derby?

"Well, I think Liverpool will win but Everton need a result as well. It will be a very physical game with a lot of pace and that's pretty much a derby game"

One of the reasons why Xabi decided to leave Liverpool was to face a new challenge in his career. And living in Madrid and playing for Real has certainly provided him with that.

"Life here is fantastic. I am from San Sebastian and it's just three hours from here. I had been here so many times before but had never lived here on a daily basis. Of course, the weather is good and so is the lifestyle. Madrid is a big city. It's very dynamic and cosmopolitan."

But the Spanish international admits that he does miss many aspects of life in Liverpool.

"I was there for five years and I quickly settled down. The lifestyle was very relaxed. It's a smaller and more manageable city with everything nearby and I do miss that.

"I was also nicely treated by the people there. They gave me a lot of respect and for that also Liverpool is special."

As for the football part, he feels that it's still early days to make an assessment.

"It's developing and it's taking some time because the team is still in the process of developing and gelling and playing as a unit; I think I am also in the middle of that process. And I can probably improve and I am trying to do that."

Goal.com

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