Alonso: There's a special connection
He may have departed Anfield more than half a decade ago, but Xabi Alonso admits he still feels a strong bond with Liverpool fans – and he's itching for the chance to play in front of the Kop once again.
In five seasons with the Reds, during which he clocked up 210 appearances, scored 19 goals and lifted the Champions League and FA Cup, the Spaniard firmly established himself as a fan favourite with Kopites.
Alonso bode farewell to Liverpool in the summer of 2009, joining Real Madrid. More recently, he completed a move to German giants Bayern Munich.
But with that transfer came a cost - it meant he'd miss out on the chance to run out at Anfield once more as the Reds were pitted against Real in the Champions League group stages.
In an entertaining and in-depth interview with fellow former-Anfield hero, Jamie Carragher, for the Daily Mail, Alonso described his emotions upon seeing news of the draw.
He said: "I was in the middle of doing my medical here. I came out from the scan and saw it...
"There was a shock! I was thinking, 'I had a chance to go back to Anfield... aye, yai, yai'!
"I would have loved that. I'd love to play there once more. This season in the knockout stages? You never know.
"I still feel I have a special connection with Liverpool fans. Winning in Istanbul was beyond my dreams."