Rafa backs Alonso to star - PA

PA Sport, 2 Oct 2004
RAFA BACKS ALONSO TO STAR

Xabi Alonso has won warm praise from Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez on the
eve of the Anfield outfit's latest demanding away trip.

Sunday's match against unbeaten Chelsea at Stamford Bridge promises to be
the biggest test for Alonso and his Liverpool team-mates since the team's
summer overhaul.

The trip to Manchester United in mid September offered its own challenge,
but Chelsea have made such a strong start to their Premiership title bid
that the Stamford Bridge trip looks the most arduous yet.

Alonso is sure to be a central figure in the match, and Liverpool will be
looking for him to continue showing fine form for his new club.

His best performances have come at Anfield, to date, and if Liverpool are
to shock Chelsea - or come away with even a point - then Alonso will be
required to get on top in the midfield battle against Claude Makelele and
Frank Lampard.

Chelsea underlined their pedigree when beating European champions Porto in
midweek, and Alonso will again be denied the comradeship of the injured
Steven Gerrard in midfield.

That puts the onus on Alonso to be the catalyst, and boss Benitez has no
doubt about the former Real Sociedad man's desire and quality.

"Alonso has shown himself to be very clever. He has shown a very
professional mentality and he is always thinking and asking about what he
can do to improve his level of performance," said Benitez.

"That is very important, he always tries to do better each time he plays,
the fans are seeing this now."

The £10.7million summer arrival could not prevent a midweek Champions
League defeat at Olympiacos, however, a result which emphasised Liverpool's
problems on their travels.

He had starred in the 3-0 mauling of promoted Norwich last weekend but was
over-shadowed by the competitive Greeks in Athens, as were most of his
colleagues.

But Benitez continues to rave about Alonso, adding: "He always wants to
learn things, every day and every game. That is what I like about his style
of play."

Liverpool will be looking to put a halt to a run of three successive away
defeats, with Barclays Premiership setbacks at the hands of Bolton and
Manchester United preceding the Olympiacos loss.

Under Gerard Houllier, Liverpool won at both Old Trafford and Stamford
Bridge last season.

"It is clear that results home and away are obviously very different," said
Alonso, "and we know that we have to improve many things when we are
playing away.

"We have to breed confidence and when we do finally achieve our first away
league victory of the season then you will see things will change.

"We will have to play better when we go to Chelsea, that is for sure. But
we are confident that we can bounce back there, certainly.

"We know that we have to change many things but each game is different. We
can improve there.

"It is a big game, which is good for us and we will then see what happens."