Xabi Alonso: The Real Reason For Liverpool's Woes

Liverpool. Once a Merseyside, no sorry, once a European powerhouse. In 2009, they ranked seventh in IFFHA's Continental Clubs of the Twentieth Century poll—the only English club in the top 10.

Liverpool have won an outstanding 40 titles during their lustrous history (18 league titles, seven FA Cups, seven League Cups, five European Cups aka Champions League, and three UEFA Cups).

They have lived through great tragedies, like the Hillsborough Disaster in 1989.

They have lived threw great triumphs, like one of the most memorial Champions League finals in Champions League finals, and let's face it, European League Cup finals as well.

However, success, lately has been hard to come by. Last season they finished seventh, occupying the last Europa League spot, by a mere two points. Though, they currently lie in 7th place in the Premier League, they are only nine points above the drop zone.

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Managerial misleadings, ownership obscurities, and player plight have all left Merseyside asking the same questions: "What happened?"

It is simple really.

Xabi Alonso left a gaping hole in Liverpool's armour and no one player has been able to fix it.

Liverpool's last successful season, the 08-09 season saw Liverpool lose the Premier League title by a mere four points.

That following summer Xabi Alonso packed his bags and went on home to Spain. The rest they say is history.

Alonso was never the face of Liverpool, nor was he there fearless captain, or their talisman. He was a player who took his place in line and did what was needed of him.

In his five seasons with Liverpool, he made 205 appearances (as a starter and a sub), which averages out to be 41 games a season. That is a large contribution to any team.

His passing was second to only Steven Gerrard, his defending abilities in the middle were unmatched in the Premier League by very few, and his knowledge with and without the ball offered a calming relief to everyone around him.

When he departed, Xavier Mascherano took his place. No doubt a good player, but a player who could only try to cover for Alonso, never replace.

His tackling was often reckless and untimely. His play was inconsistent and patchy.

Lucas, the player deemed responsible for covering for Mascherano, is a case for a different article.

The fact remains that there is no coincidence between the departure of Alonso and the tumbling of Liverpool. He was the glue that pieced the once great Liverpool together and the gasoline to Steven Gerrard's engine.

The slope of Liverpool is getting steeper and steeper by the moment.