<table border="3" width="100%" id="table1" bordercolor="#000000" cellpadding="0"><!--
--> <tr><!--
--> <td width="10%" bgcolor="0" align="center"><!--
--> <p align="center"><b><font color="#FFFFFF">Season</font></b></td><!--
--> <td width="10%" bgcolor="0" align="center"><b><!--
--> <font color="#FFFFFF">TD</font></b></td><!--
--> <td width="10%" bgcolor="0" align="center"><b><!--
--> <font color="#FFFFFF">CAS</font></b></td><!--
--> <td width="10%" bgcolor="0" align="center"><b><!--
--> <font color="#FFFFFF">CMP</font></b></td><!--
--> <td width="10%" bgcolor="0" align="center"><b><!--
--> <font color="#FFFFFF">INT</font></b></td><!--
--> <td width="10%" bgcolor="0" align="center"><b><!--
--> <font color="#FFFFFF">SPP</font></b></td><!--
--> <td width="40%" bgcolor="0" align="center"><b><!--
--> <font color="#FFFFFF">Awards</font></b></td><!--
--> </tr><!--
--> <tr><!-- STATS FOR SEASON
--> <td bgcolor="#000000" align="center"><font color="#FFFFFF"><b><!-- INSERT SEASON NUMBER-->All</b></font></td><!--
--> <td align="center"><!-- INSERT TDS-->1</td><!--
--> <td align="center"><!-- INSERT CAS-->0</td><!--
--> <td align="center"><!-- INSERT CMP-->4</td><!--
--> <td align="center"><!-- INSERT INT-->0</td><!--
--> <td align="center"><!-- INSERT SPP-->22</td><!--
--> <td align="center"><!-- INSERT AWARDS--><img border=0 src="http://fumbbl.com/teams/151760.jpg" alt="Season 1 Veteran"><img border=0 src="http://fumbbl.com/teams/171559.jpg" alt="Season 2 Veteran"><img border=0 src="http://fumbbl.com/teams/186435.jpg" alt="Season 3 Veteran"><img border=0 src="http://fumbbl.com/teams/214243.jpg" alt="Season 4 Veteran"> <!--
--> </tr><!-- END OF SEASON STATS
--> </table>

Highly rated midfield playmaker Xabi Alonso returned from a serious injury in April 2005 and played a major role in the Champions League win over Juventus.


Alonso made a terrible start to 2005 when he broke his ankle on New Year's Day but three months later he was back, and scored in the Champions League final win over AC Milan.

Alonso arrived at Liverpool from Real Soceidad for a fee in the region of 10.5 million in August 2004. He settled quickly and has been an instant favourite with the fans.

During his time with Real Sociedad Alonso was seen as one of the most promising central midfielders in La Liga. He has vision, is comfortable on the ball and can score goals.

His passing is his best asset and in his short time at Liverpool he looks to be one of the signings of 2004.

Alonso came through the youth ranks at Real Sociedad and made his debut for the San Sebastian outfit in the 1999/2000 season.

The following season in 2000/2001 Xabi spent the first part of the campaign on loan at minnows SD Eibar before returning to Real Sociedad later that season to break into the team.

Season 2002/2003 was the campaign when Xabi Alonso came to prominence as a star in the making and was a key performer as Real finished second in La Liga behind champions Real Madrid.

Alonso was called up to the Spain national team for the first time in 2003 and made his debut at the age of 21 in a 4-0 friendly win over Ecuador.

Last season Alonso played 35 games for Real Sociedad and although it wasn't a great season domestically scored a memorable goal against Valencia, giving Rafael Benitez a close glimpse of his undoubted talent. He also played for Spain in Euro 2004.

Xabi comes from a famous footballing family. His dad Miguel Angel 'Periko' Alonso was a star for Barcelona and won two league titles with Real Sociedad. Xabi's brother, fellow midfielder Mikel Alonso, is also on Real Sociedad's books.