Football is in the blood for the Alonso's, with dad Miguel a title-winner with Sociedad & Barcelona and brother Mikel spending 07/08 at Bolton
San Sebastian born Alonso started his career at local side Real Sociedad making his debut as an 18 year old in December 1999.
The midfielder grew into an integral part of the Sociedad side as the club earned an impressive second place finish in 2002/03, giving Alonso the chance to test himself on Europe’s highest stage, the Champions League.
Having impressed many of Europe’s elite with his disciplined yet cultured passing game, Alonso moved to Liverpool in the summer of 2004, becoming one of countryman and new Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez’s first signings at Anfield.
Alonso quickly settled in to the Liverpool midfield, forming the formidable pairing with Reds captain Steven Gerrard in the centre of the park that was so crucial to the Merseysiders winning their fifth European Cup in his first season in England. The Spaniard scored the equaliser, a rebound from his own saved penalty, in the famous comeback win over AC Milan in the Istanbul final.
Despite this his most famous goals have probably been in domestic competition, scoring twice from inside his own half. The first against Luton in an FA Cup 3rd Round win at Kenilworth Road and the second at Anfield against Newcastle in the Premier League, with Toon keeper Steve Harper slipping to let the Spaniards 60 yard striker bounce over him.
Having seen off competition from Mohammed Sissoko for a place in the Reds side, Alonso found Javier Mascherano a far stiffer opponent, and found first team opportunities more limited in 2007/08, leading to increased speculation about his future.