We miss Alonso in midfield, admits Gerrard

Liverpool skipper Steven Gerrard admitted that he is still devastated by the sale of Xabi Alonso, who went to Real Madrid for £30 million.

The Kop skipper also said he cannot get used to seeing Michael Owen in a Manchester United shirt.

Midfielder Gerrard, who missed Wednesday's Champions League clash against Lyon with a groin injury, said Alonso's departure is the key reason behind the Reds' struggles so far this season.

"I'm devastated, yeah devastated. But there was nothing I could do about it. Xabi said a long time ago he wanted another chapter in his career and neither the manager nor his team-mates could stand in his way," The Sun quoted him, as saying.

"We've got other good midfielders here doing a good job but it will be a while before Alonso's out of our system because he was such a top player. He was so good at protecting the central defenders and, going forward, he was one of the best passers I've ever played with," he said.

"He could create something out of nothing. Xabi was sometimes under-rated because of the likes of Fernando Torres. But when you play with him and without him, you realise how much he meant to the team," Gerrard said.

Gerrard is also finding it tough to watch old Kop team-mate Owen play in the red uniform of big rivals Manchester United.

"I played with him in the red of Liverpool since I was 10, so to see him in the red of United is difficult for me. Obviously it was a chance he needed to take so I wish him well personally - but I do not want United to do well at all," he said.