[lfc-news] Alonso: We can surprise Europe - Official Site

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Official LFC Website, 15 Sept 2004
ALONSO: WE CAN SURPRISE EUROPE
By Paul Eaton

Spanish star Xabi Alonso has predicted Liverpool will emerge as a surprise
package in this season's Champions League.
The £10 million midfielder believes Rafael Benitez's knowledge of European
football is sure to benefit the Reds as they embark on their new European
adventure against Monaco at Anfield tonight.

Alonso, who will be hoping to return to the starting line-up after missing
out against West Brom on Saturday, is confident the Reds will qualify from
their group before re-establishing the club as a force in European football.

"I firmly believe Liverpool have the team, the tactics and the belief to do
something very important in the Champions League," he said. "There is no
reason why we can't be the surprise team in this year's competition.

"Monaco have sold many of the players who helped them reach last season's
final, so maybe they won't be as strong this season. But we won't be
relying on that because in football you can't trust things like that.

"Monaco are lucky to have a great coach in Didier Deschamps and I'm sure he
will have his team well prepared for this match. He will make them
dangerous opponents for sure.

"Rafa Benitez has proved in Spain he is one of the best coaches around and
now he has a great chance to do something even more special by bringing
trophies to Anfield, either English prizes or European ones.

"He did it with Valencia and I'm confident he'll do it with Liverpool as
soon as he can. His tactics and beliefs are ideally suited to winning
European games. You saw that last season when he won the UEFA Cup with
Valencia.

"I am too young to remember Liverpool winning the European Cups in the
seventies and eighties, but my father has told me all about their great
European history. I am under no illusions that wearing this red shirt is
something very special and I meant it when I said it was a dream come true
to sign for Liverpool.

"I imagine it will be amazing to hear the Champions League anthem at
Anfield before we play Monaco. For me, this is the most important
competition. The team are feeling good ahead of this match and with the
support of our fans I'm sure we'll beat Monaco.

"I don't think we have been given an easy group because all the teams are
good, but we have a lot of belief that we will go through to the next stage."


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