Gerrard: I was 'devastated' when Alonso left Liverpool

[Kenneth]

Amazing really, I never thought Alonso leaving would have a bigger affect on us than Ronaldo's leaving would have on Manu, yet they're having their best start for a while I think. They have looked quite poor though and have been so lucky this season. Last nights goal by Valencia summed them up this season.

They are always lucky. Odd that.

[FatTony]

They are always lucky. Odd that.

No, this season so far they've had a lot of fortune in such a small stretch of games

• Shchennikov og in injury time last night
• Ferdinand scored equaliser in 94th minute against Sunderland
• Owen winner on 96th minute against Man Citeh
• Diaby incredible own goal against Arsenal (against run of play)

Whilst thats been going on we've had several injuries to key players and a deflected goal off a beach ball.

[vlahka]

Ok whatever you want to believe. I'll take Rafa over Alonso (or any other player) if you ask me. He's bigger than them.

Good choice. Considering Alonso helped us get second and Rafa is doing his best to get us 6th. No player or MANAGER is bigger then the team. If someone screws up they should be bloody well pointed out for it.

[Roboklopp]

Amazing really, I never thought Alonso leaving would have a bigger affect on us than Ronaldo's leaving would have on Manu, yet they're having their best start for a while I think. They have looked quite poor though and have been so lucky this season. Last nights goal by Valencia summed them up this season.

I did, cos Ronaldo was the icing on their cake, whereas Alonso was the flour in ours.

I do think upsetting him was Rafa's biggest mistake & am still annnoyed with him about it, but I forgive him & am prepared to forget about the mistake & move on cos he is the right man for us in the bigger picture.

Not completely convinced Xabi wouldve stayed even if he wasnt pissed off this summer once Real pursued him in that manner either.

[Guest]

Good choice. Considering Alonso helped us get second and Rafa is doing his best to get us 6th. No player or MANAGER is bigger then the team. If someone screws up they should be bloody well pointed out for it.

Who bought him? Who assembles the team? Ridiculous thing to say sorry.

[The Birdman]

Good choice. Considering Alonso helped us get second and Rafa is doing his best to get us 6th. No player or MANAGER is bigger then the team. If someone screws up they should be bloody well pointed out for it.

Mate bugger off and support someone else will you, the manager is always the most important person at the football club, so Alonso helped us get 2nd and Rafa and the rest of the squad had absolutely nothing to do with it???

The reason why Man U and Arsenal and to a lesser degree Chelsea have had success is because they have had continuity of managers in Ferguson and Wenger who had complete 100% control over the football aspects of the club - transfers both in and out, youth set up, reserve team set up, tactics etc... Chelsea were successful with Mourinho as the manager they haven't had anywhere near the same level of success with Grant, Scolari or Hiddink in charge even though Abramavich's money was there for all of them.

You come across like some young kid told to come in for his tea when all his mates are allowed to stay out later with all this "my absolute most favourite player ever in the whole history of football since sky created it bollocks"

I bet you've gone out and bought a Madrid shirt with Alonso on the back rather than buying a Liverpool shirt and doing your little bit to help revenue

[vlahka]

With all your 'true red LFC' talk that makes you bigger then me Birdman, I'm sure you were around cheering and backing Souness on at every turn in the season. Infact if a manager leads us into second division youll still cheer because thats what we do, we excuse everything a manager does because of some stupid code that says we must wear red tinted glasses. If you show any kind of passion for the team you are relegated as a madrid fan. **** off.

[Tee]

Given that Xabi's replacement has been injured and not had a chance to show the team and fans what he is capable of, coupled with the pain of playing with (in Stevie's case) or watching our pedestrian midfield this season, it is no surprise that we should naturally feel such devastation at losing Xabi.

With him in our team we were a whisker away from No.19, and now it seems as far away as it ever has under Rafa. No doubt in my mind that we ****ed up big time in not getting rid of and replacing Xabi sooner in the Summer, or even not getting in Gaz Baz.

Nothing we can do now, so lets just hope that Aquilani can produce and become as integral part of the machine as Xabi was.

[dww]

Can you both (vlahka and The Birdman) leave it out please. There is no need for things to get personal.

[pondus]

Alonso was happy before Rafa tried to offload him for Barry. That season he did his best to change the managers mind. Second season he was still trying to sell him. Why the hell should he stay? Worst bit of man management benitez has ever done. My absolute most favourite player too.

More so than Gerrard, Torres and Carra?

[pondus]

Good choice. Considering Alonso helped us get second and Rafa is doing his best to get us 6th. No player or MANAGER is bigger then the team. If someone screws up they should be bloody well pointed out for it.

I'm sorry, but

[dww]

Good choice. Considering Alonso helped us get second and Rafa is doing his best to get us 6th. No player or MANAGER is bigger then the team. If someone screws up they should be bloody well pointed out for it.

Rafa also helped us get second and the Champions league. I don't think there was ever a real Rafa or Alonso choice. There would have been no Alonso at Liverpool if it weren't for Rafa either.

No manager is bigger than the club but sometimes you have to take the long view rather than be looking to change things for a short term fix. The big difference between Rafa and Souness is the top level management success on their CVs. Very few people doubt Rafa has made some mistakes and no one is happy with how results are going at the minute. Insinuating that Rafa is a poor manager and that our current position and form is a fair reflection of his ability seems somewhat unreasonable.

[vlahka]

Can you both (vlahka and The Birdman) leave it out please. There is no need for things to get personal.

Sorry mate but he went personal because I voiced an opinion on Rafa doing a bad move.

More so than Gerrard, Torres and Carra?

Love Torres but theres no real reason why someone prefers someone else as their favourite, Alonso was just mine. I guess now it'll be Torres. To be honest I've been sour over Gerrard since he agreed to move to Chelsea, and his penchant for dives annoys me. Carra... cant comment much. I believe he can be replaced.

[vlahka]

Rafa also helped us get second and the Champions league. I don't think there was ever a real Rafa or Alonso choice. There would have been no Alonso at Liverpool if it weren't for Rafa either.

No manager is bigger than the club but sometimes you have to take the long view rather than be looking to change things for a short term fix. The big difference between Rafa and Souness is the top level management success on their CVs. Very few people doubt Rafa has made some mistakes and no one is happy with how results are going at the minute. Insinuating that Rafa is a poor manager and that our current position and form is a fair reflection of his ability seems somewhat unreasonable.

I never said get rid of Rafa, or blaming him for everything thats happening. I just said him trying to replace Alonso with that useless Barry was his fault, which is what helped hurry Alonso out the door. Not commenting on anything outside that. He can still run the club, but I'm placing that mistake at his feet. Everyones allowed mistakes. Doesnt mean they should be excused for them.

[Havors]

Alonso was my favourite player too. I was just in awe of his composure, passing and awareness. He calmed the whole team and never got caught in possession. He made Torres and Gerrard play better.