Alonso backing for Rafa

Alonso: Backing for former boss

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Former Liverpool star Xabi Alonso has backed Rafa Benitez to turn things around at Anfield.

Alonso, who left Liverpool for Real Madrid in the summer, admits he feels for his former team-mates as they struggle for form.

Benitez has found his future come under intense scrutiny after seeing his side drop out of the race for the Premier League and teetering on the brink of an early exit from the UEFA Champions League.

Many pundits claim the departure of Alonso is one of the main reasons for Liverpool's struggles this season, but the Spain international has called on the club to keep faith in Benitez to sort out their problems.

"It's not the Liverpool way to sack a manager after a few bad results early in the season," Alonso told The Times. "He is the right man for the club. It wouldn't be a good decision to change the manager. He's a great manager.

"I still have great respect for him. I'm very grateful to him for the five great years I had at Liverpool.

"Of course the situation isn't the best right now, but he knows how to turn it around.

Alonso added: It's a difficult situation. They have had injuries, they've had some bizarre moments like the one at Sunderland [when Darren Bent's winning goal bounced in off a stray beach ball].

"Liverpool will always be in my mind. I keep in contact with my former team-mates, I look for their results and, whenever I can, I watch their games on TV."