Alonso loves it at Liverpool

Xabi Alonso has followed in the footsteps of Pepe Reina, Jamie Carragher and Steven Gerrard in pledging his long-term future to Liverpool FC.

'Special club'
Like compatriot goalkeeper Reina, the 25-year-old Spain midfielder will stay with the UEFA Champions League finalists for the next five years. "I knew there was interest from other clubs but it was always my idea to stay here," he said. "It is such a special club and I just didn't want to leave." Alonso signed from hometown club Real Sociedad de Fútbol in August 2004 and played a major role in the UEFA Champions League triumph at the end of that season. Capped 37 times by his country, Alonso has played 91 Premier League games, scoring nine goals. English internationals Carragher and Gerrard have committed to Liverpool until 2011.