Liverpool icon Steven Gerrard has strongly criticized the club's decision to sell Xabi Alonso to Real Madrid in 2009, placing the blame squarely on then-manager Rafa Benitez. In his 2015 autobiography, Gerrard described the transfer as a "disastrous decision" and expressed his devastation at losing his midfield partner.
Gerrard's Verdict
Gerrard, who played alongside Alonso for five years at Anfield and won the Champions League with him in 2005, wrote: "It was a disastrous decision to sell Alonso. I blame Rafa entirely for the loss of Alonso. It was clear Alonso was royalty after our first training session together and Rafa Benitez, who had been so clever to buy him in the first place, was equally stupid to sell him to Real Madrid five years later."
The former captain also reflected on the emotional impact of the departure in an interview with FourFourTwo, saying: "Devastated, yeah. Devastated. But there was nothing I could do about it. Xabi said a long time ago that he wanted another chapter in his career and finally he got it and his team-mates and the coaches couldn't stand in his way. We just have to say thanks and move forward without him."
Context of the Sale
Benitez had previously explored replacing Alonso with Gareth Barry in 2008, but that deal did not materialize. Real Madrid's £30 million bid was accepted a year later, and Alonso left despite having almost three years remaining on his contract. Fans had shown their support for Alonso after the failed 2008 exit, and he maintained he never wanted to leave.
Alonso's replacement, Alberto Aquilani, struggled with injuries, and Liverpool finished seventh in the league, leading to Benitez's departure. Meanwhile, Alonso thrived at Real Madrid and later Bayern Munich, winning numerous trophies.
Comparison with Other Departures
Gerrard contrasted Alonso's situation with those of Javier Mascherano and Fernando Torres, who both pushed for moves. "Mascherano wanted to go, and he refused to play on until he got his move. Torres came to me to ask for help to leave, and he downed tools until he went to Chelsea. Xabi Alonso never once said to me he wanted a move," he wrote.
