Steve Hunter 22 October 2005 Rafael Benitez is hoping Xabi Alonso can produce a repeat performance of his display at Fulham last season and inspire the Reds to three points at Craven Cottage. Last season with Alonso starting on the bench Liverpool found themselves 2-0 down at half-time, but for the second half Benitez brought on his playmaker for Salif Diao and the game changed.
Alonso inspired a Liverpool comeback and scored a fantastic free-kick in the 4-2 win which was the Reds first away win of the season. Now with the Liverpool searching for their first away win of this season the Reds manager is hoping Alonso can inspire the team again.
Benitez said: "It was really difficult in the first half but in the second we played well and we scored a lot of goals. Xabi scored a fantastic goal and I have good memories of that day.
"When Xabi came on in the second half it was a totally different game. He played well, he pbutted the ball and buttisted other players. We lost Josemi with a red card for the last 15 minutes but we controlled the game, Biscan scored a good goal to make it 4-2 and it was a very good memory for me."
don't worrydope man funny how all the "critics", "journos" and "pundits" were saying post Istanbul that the ONE thing Rafa had done was to...
Jay -- LIVERPOOL FC - KINGS OF EUROPE MANCHE$TER BUCCANEERS & BLUEpooE - KINGS OF COMEDY
