Postition: Midfielder
Squad Number: 14
Date of Birth: 25/11/1981
Birth Place: Spain
Former clubs: Real Sociedad, SD Eibar
Transfer Fee: £10.5m Having been courted by some of Europe's top clubs, midfielder Alonso joined the Reds from Real Soceidad for a fee of £10.5 million in August 2004. During his first season at Anfield, he became a firm favourite with the crowd, displaying a superb range of passing and proving a man for all occasions. An injury sustained in the New Year's Day defeat to Chelsea kept him out until mid April, when an assured display against Juventus in Turin saw the Reds through to the Semi-Finals of the Champions League. His equalising goal in the final of that tournament already has its permanent place in Anfield folklore. Alonso shot to prominence at the Spanish club during the 2002/03 season when Sociedad finished as runners up behind Real Madrid in La Liga. While at Real Sociedad, Alonso was seen as an extremely promising central midfielder in La Liga. He rose up through the youth ranks and first played with the San Sebastian team during the 99-2000 season. In 2000/2001 Xabi spent a loan period at minnows SD Eibar before going back to Real Sociedad later on in that season when he would break into the team. The 2002/2003 campaign was when Xabi really rose to fame and he was a crucial performer as Sociedad ended up second in La Liga behind the champions Real Madrid. Alonso was then taken into the Spanish national football team for the first time during the year 2003 and kicked off at the age of 21 with a 4-0 friendly win against Ecuador. During 2003/2004 Alonso took part in 35 games for Real Sociedad and scored a goal against Valencia that nobody will forget soon, offering Rafael Benitez a glimpse of his full talent. He also played with Spain during Euro 2004. Xabi originates from a renowned footballing family. His father (Miguel Angel 'Periko' Alonso) was famous with Barcelona and while with Real Sociedad won two league titles. Xabi's brother, midfielder (Mikel Alonso), is also on the books at Real Sociedad. He signed a new contract at Anfield in the summer of 2007. | 
