Real Madrid midfielder Xabi missing life at Liverpool

Posted Monday, June 06, 2011 by tribalfootball.com

"I miss lots of things. I miss the lads, I miss the atmosphere at Melwood - it was a great place to work, and the scenario of Anfield is unbeatable," Xabi told liverpoolfc.tv. "The special nights I have been privileged enough to live, those will be in my memory forever and they are difficult to compare anywhere in the world.

"Since I arrived I have known so many big, big legends as Kenny, Hansen, Souness, Fowler, Stevie, Carra - these will be forever. Sami Hyypia as well, for me he was a big example and someone I learned a lot from. I don't think I belong there but if I am a step below them I am happy to be there.

"Stevie and Carra are very good friends. They were good teammates because from the first day I felt I got on with them well. The importance they had in the changing room, it was very important for me to have a good relationship with them. Being from Liverpool, knowing how things were at that moment and winning the Champions League in the first year made the relationship stronger. That is why they are still very good friends.

"I always had full respect for Liverpool before I signed because I had heard all the stories and the tradition that they had. But once you are involved, if you like football and like the passion from the fans and the important things that matter in football then you will love Liverpool. That is what it is all about, about football, about respecting the game and about supporting the team and you can.