Gerrard: I was left heartbroken when this player quit Liverpool
By Matt Farr
England icon Steven Gerrard admits he was left heartbroken when former Reds team-mate Xabi Alonso quit Liverpool.
The two midfield generals played alongside one another across five seasons at Anfield, winning the FA Cup, Champions League, and Super Cup together.
But Alonso brought the partnership to an end when he sealed a £30million move to European heavyweights Real Madrid in the summer of 2009, having made 210 appearances in all competitions for Liverpool.
However, Gerrard, who hung up his boots in November, admitted the Spaniard had broken his heart when he chose to quit Liverpool.
Alonso, 35, is now set on the path to retirement, and is set to play his final game for Bayern Munich against Freiburg on Saturday before officially calling it a day.
Ahead of his final game, Gerrard issued a heartfelt message to his former team-mate, which read, as quoted by the Mirror: “Hope you’re well, mate. I just want to say a huge congratulations on your retirement.
“What a special career. What a fantastic player. For me, probably the most enjoyable partner throughout my career as a midfielder. The best passer of a ball I’ve ever played with.
“When you left it broke my heart, but you’ll always have a special place at this football club and you’re always welcome to come visit.”
Alonso had announced back in March that he was to retire at the end of the season, sending football fans across the globe into a frenzy.
The 114-time Spanish international is widely regarded as one of the best midfielders of his generation and a real credit to the sport.
He has made a combined 700 appearances across five different clubs during his career, scoring 44 goals. He represented Real Sociedad, Eibar, Liverpool, Real Madrid and Bayern Munich.
In other Liverpool news, Jurgen Klopp has responded to reported interest in this attacker.
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