Former Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso has claimed that Anfield is the best stadium in the world after playing there today.
The World Cup winner captained Liverpool legends this afternoon as they beat their Manchester United counterparts 2-1. And during an interview with liverpoolfc.com after the game, Alonso spoke about Anfield.
“I loved it. I loved it after some time without playing these kind of games. You still know that you feel it, you have it inside and whenever you have the chance it awakens [you]. I really loved it and a great cause, great atmosphere, best stadium in the world. Great day,” said the 40-year-old.
“[Anfield is] different. You have pretty stadiums all over the world, great atmospheres, Champions League nights – but this is Anfield. The soul, the stands, the lights, it’s different and it’s pure football. That’s why we love it as a player, as a fan, as anyone that comes.”
Alonso still in awe of Anfield
It really is great to see such a brilliant former player speak so well of Liverpool. Not only was Alonso a top player for the Reds, he was also one of the best midfielders of his generation.
Boasting over 200 appearances for Real Madrid and over 100 for Bayern, he more or less completed club football.
Alonso also completed the game on the international stage. Part of the legendary Spanish team of the late 2010s, Xabi won a World Cup and back-to-back European Championships.
And yet, amongst all of that, he still remains bowled over by playing in the Liverpool stadium.
Reds legends do the business
Of course, Alonso’s words didn’t come from nowhere. Liverpool’s former No.14 was at Anfield to take part in today’s LFC Legends match against United.
Featuring players like Robbie Keane, Momo Sissoko and Martin Skrtel, there was plenty of nostalgia on display as Liverpool ran out 2-1 winners.
Having fallen behind to a Dimitar Berbatov goal, second-half strikes from Mark Gonzalez and Florent Sinama-Pongolle turned things around.
With Alonso pulling the strings once again at Anfield, how could it have ended any other way.
