FORMER Liverpool star midfielder Jan Molby, a two-time title winner with the Reds during the 1980s, believes the decision to sell Xabi Alonso to Real Madrid will hurt Rafael Benitez’s side.

REAL LOSS: Alonso’s move to Real Madrid has weakened Liverpool

Alonso was a key  gure in the Liverpool midfield, being granted the ball following central mid eld partner Javier Mascherano’s breakup play and initiating his own forward motions from a withdrawn position.

Alonso’s playmaking credentials allowed players such as Steven Gerrard, Yossi Benayoun and Fernando Torres to fully  ourish. And the Spain international seems to be the last piece of Real Madrid’s second Galactico puzzle and the deal sees Liverpool earn around £30 million (RM178.7m).

“Alonso is doing what he thinks is right for his career. When he retires he’ll look back and see Liverpool and Real Madrid on his CV, and that’s a big thing,” Molby told BBC.

“If you look at what’s happening at Real right now, you can sense there could be something big in terms of what they’re capable of winning over the next few years, and Alonso feels he wants to be part of that.

“In the end, he was desperate to go and join them. I fully understand his decision.

“But Liverpool will miss him a lot. Everyone talks about Gerrard and Torres. But I feel just behind them, Alonso was a crucial part of the directional play of the team,” said Molby.

Liverpool have already agreed terms yesterday with Roma to sign up Italy international Alberto Aquilani as a replacement for Alonso.

And many Liverpool fans are worried as Aquilani may just turn up to be another Andrea Dossena, signed up from Udinese, who failed to impress at Anfield last season and wanted to return to Italy.