Former Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard sends heartfelt message to old team-mate Xabi Alonso ahead of retirement

Alonso will hang up his boots this weekend, playing his last football in Bayern Munich's meeting with Freiburg on Saturday

Friday 19 May 2017 11:20 BST

Steven Gerrard and Xabi Alonso formed a formidable partnership at Liverpool between 2004 and 2009 (Getty)

Steven Gerrard has paid tribute to Xabi Alonso ahead of his former Liverpool team-mate's retirement from football this weekend.

Alonso will take to the pitch for the final time on Saturday when Bayern Munich play their last game of their title-winning Bundesliga season at home to Freiburg.

The former Spain international will call time on a career which has seen him lift one Liga, three Bundesliga and two Champions League titles, with his first European Cup coming alongside Gerrard in 2005.

Liverpool players who could leave this summer

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1/12Liverpool players who could leave this summer

Liverpool players who could leave this summer

Daniel Sturridge

An electric frontman just three years ago, Sturridge has now lost a bit of that spark due to persistent injury problems. However, according to Jamie Carragher, Sturridge has become irked at speculation linking him with a move away, suggesting he may yet stick around to prove himself. Survival rating: 6/10

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Liverpool players who could leave this summer

Alberto Moreno

Moreno is surely in line to depart this summer, having been frozen out of the starting line-up since the opening day win at Arsenal and kept out by a makeshift left-back. Although he offers an obvious attacking threat, his lack of composure has cost Liverpool too many times in his short Anfield career. Survival rating: 2/10

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Liverpool players who could leave this summer

Simon Mignolet

He may have won his battle with Loris Karius for the starting spot between the sticks, but both may have lost the war. Neither have convinced when given an opportunity and Mignolet is merely the man in possession. There will be concern if that’s still the case come next season’s opening weekend. Survival rating: 8/10

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Liverpool players who could leave this summer

Emre Can

A player with undoubted potential, but one who has consistently under-performed. His contractual situation is a worry, too. Can’s current deal expires in the summer of 2018 and, with negotiations progressing slowly, Liverpool could be tempted to cash in. Survival rating: 7/10

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Liverpool players who could leave this summer

Lucas Leiva

A club stalwart, a fan favourite, but a player undoubtedly coming to the end of his time at Anfield. His contract expires this summer and a renewal would be one borne out of sentiment rather than sense. Survival rating: 2/10

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Liverpool players who could leave this summer

Loris Karius

Like Mignolet, Karius' future will depend on whether Klopp decides to enter the market for a goalkeeper for the second consecutive summer. If he does, last year's signing from Mainz will have a long road back to the first team. He is young, though, and his status as a relatively new signing could work in his favour. Survival rating: 7/10

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Liverpool players who could leave this summer

Ragnar Klavan

Brought in as a fourth-choice centre-back last summer, Klavan shot up the pecking order following Mamadou Sakho’s disciplinary issues. Joel Matip’s injury problems saw Klavan promoted further still and, though he has put in a handful of solid displays, others have been below-par. If a new centre-back arrives and Joe Gomez’s development continues apace, Klavan will be back on the fringes. Survival rating: 7/10

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Liverpool players who could leave this summer

Mamadou Sakho

Sakho is currently out on loan at Crystal Palace and his Anfield career looks all but over after the disciplinary problems which have dogged him. Klopp looks to have made his mind up on the defender, who would be a regular starter if he had his manager's trust. Survival rating: 1/10

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Liverpool players who could leave this summer

Jon Flanagan

Local-born Flanagan is a fan favourite who only signed a new contract last season, but as an old-fashioned full-back, he is perhaps not dynamic enough for Klopp's system. A lack of minutes at loan club Burnley will not have helped his cause. Survival rating: 2/10

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Liverpool players who could leave this summer

Andre Wisdom

Wisdom broke into Brendan Rodgers' Liverpool side during the Northern Irishman's first season at the club, but his progress has stagnated. The 23-year-old may now look to build a career away from English football, having spent this season on loan at Red Bull Salzburg. Survival rating: 2/10

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Liverpool players who could leave this summer

Lazar Markovic

Markovic seems destined to become an expensive Liverpool flop, having flattered to deceive since his £20million move from Benfica in 2014. He could yet enjoy success elsewhere however, and has shown glimpses of his undeniable talent while on loan at Hull. Survival rating: 3/10

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Liverpool players who could leave this summer

Danny Ings

Liverpool's forgotten man has been unlucky with injuries since joining from Burnley. Ings has made just 11 starts in two years following two serious knee injuries. With any luck, Klopp will show sympathy to his beleaguered striker. Survival rating: 6/10

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Ahead of Alonso's last game, Gerrard, who hung up his own boots earlier this season and is now working as a youth coach at Liverpool, recorded a video tribute for his old midfield partner.

“I just want to say a huge congratulations on your retirement,” Gerrard said in the video message. “What a special career, a fantastic player. For me, probably the most enjoyable partner throughout my career as a midfielder.

“The best passer of a ball I’ve ever played with and you deserve all the accolades you get, mate. What a special career for club and country.

“I’m very jealous of you having a World Cup winner’s medal, I’m very jealous of you having league titles in Germany and Spain, but you deserve it mate.”

Alonso spent five years at Anfield between 2004 and 2009 and scored Liverpool's vital equalising goal in their historic 3-3 Champions League final comeback against Milan twelve years ago.

The Spaniard eventually left for Real Madrid, one year after a fall-out with manager Rafael Benitez almost saw him replaced by Gareth Barry, and Gerrard admitted he was hurt by Alonso's departure.

“As I said, I couldn’t ask for a better midfield partner and when you left, it broke my heart,” Gerrard added in the video message. “You’ll always have a special place at this football club and you’re always welcome to come and visit.”

Alonso has made a total of 688 appearances throughout his club career, including 210 outings for Liverpool, for whom he scored 19 goals.

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