Alonso: Liverpool form not my fault

The Spanish international left Merseyside for £30 million this summer after five years at the club, with many crediting the holding midfielder's absence as the key reason behind Liverpool's dismal start.

The Reds have lost two of their opening three games this season, away to Tottenham Hotspur and at home to Aston Villa, with fans already highlighting the fact that the team had a higher win percentage with Alonso in the team than without him over the course of his 143 league appearances.

Manager Rafael Benitez has used £20 million of the money raised from Alonso's sale to recruit Italian midfielder Alberto Aquilani from Roma.

But with the new signing injured for six weeks and Javier Mascherano and Lucas Leiva struggling to make an impact, the gap left by Alonso has become more evident.

But the new Madridista, who netted in the famous Champions League victory in Istanbul four years ago, firmly believes his former employers' current struggles are not his fault, and that they will soon get their title challenge back on track.

"Liverpool's bad beginning in three matches is not normal but I believe my exit has not been that decisive," he said in The Sun.

"Players are not that indispensable and these are only the first moments of the season. I am convinced the team will recover."

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