Alonso raises game with 'manly' guise
Saturday April 04 2009
LIVERPOOL'S Spanish international midfielder Xabi Alonso is in the best form of his career at the moment, and apparently it's all down to some horrible facial hair.
Spain coach Vicente del Bosque was asked to give his thoughts on why Alonso -- who scored the equaliser in his country's 2-1 win over Turkey in midweek -- has developed into such an important player for club and country.
And, according to the former Real Madrid manager, it's the result of cultivating a rather unattractive ginger beard.
"Alonso used to have a baby-faced appearance which didn't help his cause in the game. But this hairy beard he has developed has helped him find the strong, manly characteristics that he was previously missing," said Del Bosque.
"He has a serious 'I mean business' air about him now."
Should Liverpool go on to win a Premier League and Champions League double we will give this theory much more credence. Until then, one can only assume that Del Bosque was tired of spouting football cliches and went with the beardy explanation in order to liven up his press conferences.
