Xabi Alonso Saddened By Liverpool's Struggles In Champions League

Devastated is the word that Steven Gerrard used to describe how he felt when Xabi Alonso left Liverpool. It is a strong word. "Gutted" is trotted out routinely by footballers, but "devastated" cuts far deeper, revealing the kind of pain that has been all too apparent in the turbulent five-week spell that has turned Liverpool's season into something already approaching a write-off.