The Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard has admitted he was "devastated" by the sale of Xabi Alonso to Real Madrid in the summer.
Alonso moved to the Bernabéu for £30m after five seasons at Anfield, with many critics pointing to his departure as the reason for Liverpool's struggle in Europe and in the Premier League.
Gerrard told FourFourTwo magazine how the sale had left him feeling: "Devastated, yeah. Devastated. But there was nothing I could do about it. Xabi said a long time ago that he wanted another chapter in his career and finally he got it and his team-mates and the coaches couldn't stand in his way. We just have to say thanks and move forward without him."
Liverpool spent most of the proceeds of the sale on Alberto Aquilani, who has yet to play a full game due to injury after his move from Roma.
"It's always going to be different when you lose one of the best players in the world," said Gerrard, "and people are finally realising that's what he is, on the back of his form for Real Madrid and the difference in us from last year. We've got other midfielders here doing a good job but it will take a while before Alonso's out of our system because he was such a top player."
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