Real Madrid midfielder Xabi Alonso has now revealed the reason for him leaving England for Spain. The Tolosa born star admitted that he had made up his mind to leave Anfield after Benitez tried to sell him in the 2008-09 season in order to raise the funds to buy Gareth Barry from Aston Villa. As we all know, Benitez did not end up selling Alonso, and the midfielder played a vital role in Liverpool’s hugely successful 08-09 season.
Alonso said, ” Last year the club proposed me that I might have to be sold to find funds for new players.
“It was a difficult decision or difficult moment to accept that. I accepted that as a professional and that moment probably changed my mind and I thought that maybe from that moment that maybe it was time for a change.”