Football’s Greatest Goals No.36
This week’s ‘Greatest Goal’ comes from Liverpool’s Xabi Alonso in a league match against Newcastle United on 20th September 2006.
Liverpool were already 1-0 up in their Premier League match at Anfield thanks to a goal from Dutch striker Dirk Kuyt. The Spaniard dispossessed Charles N’Zogbia inside his own half before looking up to see what options he had for a sudden counter-attack.
Alonso suddenly spotted visiting goalkeeper Steve Harper was slightly off his line. There were options either side of Alonso but he had already made his mind up.
From just before the edge of the centre circle, a full 70 yards from goal, he swung his right foot at the ball and aimed for the goal at The Kop End.
A roar went up as the Liverpool fans urged the ball towards the goal. Steve Harper was backtracking, slipped and fell to the floor. He tried desperately to stand up but the ball had gone past him and even though he stretched out an arm, the ball hit the back of the net.
This goal wasn’t the first time Alonso scored from distance. He also scored with a goal from his own half away to Luton eight months before, but that time there was no goalkeeper to try and save it.
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