Xabi Alonso saddened by Liverpool’s current plight

Xabi Alonso, the man whose summer departure to Real Madrid - in the eyes of many Liverpool fans - precipitated the alarming slump in the team's fortunes this season, has talked of his sadness at the spectacle of his former employers performing so poorly.

"It’s a difficult situation," Alonso confided to Oliver Kay in the Times. "They have had injuries, they've had some bizarre moments like the one at Sunderland [when Darren Bent's shot bounced off a stray beach ball and flew past Liverpool keeper Pepe Reina]. Liverpool will always be in my mind. I keep in contact with my former team-mates, I look for their results and, whenever I can, I watch their games on TV."

Alonso was talking ahead of Liverpool's Champions League clash at Lyon on Wednesday, which the Merseysiders drew in heartbreaking fashion when the home side equalised as the clock ran into injury time. The personable Spaniard, who was idolised by Liverpool fans during his five-season stay at the club, was perceptive too about the psychology that takes hold at a 'club in crisis'.

"Everyone knows that in football, when things aren't right, the best player is always the one who isn't there, whether they're injured, suspended or no longer at the club," Alonso said. "They still have a lot of good players. Alberto Aquilani will hopefully be fit soon." Alonso was this week described as "one of the best players in the world" by his captain at Liverpool, Steven Gerrard, who said he had been "devastated" by the midfielder's exit from the club.

The breakdown in the relationship between Alonso and his compatriot, Anfield boss Rafa Benitez, hastened the 27-year-old's departure. But the player remains diplomatic, telling Kay that "I still have great respect for him. I'm very grateful to him for the great years I had at Liverpool. Of course the situation isn't the best right now, but he knows how to turn it around."

Alonso even provided his former boss with a stirring testimonial, noting that "Benitez is the right man for the club. It wouldn’t be a good decision to change the manager. He's a great manager." Liverpool's next game is at home to Birmingham in the Premier League on Monday night, then there is a 12-day break for the European World Cup qualification play-offs.