Xabi Alonso feels that his time at Liverpool has shown him that there is a vastly different footballing mentality in England to most of the rest of Europe, with the fans appreciating the spectacular aspects of the game more than the simple, basic facets of football.
Speaking to Spanish journalist Guillem Balague's official website, in an interview about tactics with former Reds great Jan Molby, Alonso felt the midfielder's role had changed from the 'box-to-box', all-action, defending and attacking players of the 1980's, like his father, with the position now possessing several subtle variations.
"Now, teams employ 4-1-4-1, 4-3-3, 4-2-3-1 – its more about keeping in position than getting into the box," he explained.
"I hardly ever get in the box. You have to know your role and accept it, because that's what is best for the team.
"I really enjoy it where I am because I want to be involved in every part of the game and in this position you are right in the middle. You're close to attack, close to the wings, defence; you get more touches than anyone else. Michael Carrick can do that for England. But the football culture is quite different here in England.
"In England, those qualities of playing it simple, being in the right position, reading the game, knowing the right moment to make things happen around you are not appreciated. Making a tackle, a run into the box, the spectacular things are more appreciated."
Alonso also highlighted that although players like Steven Gerrard could get the crowd going with spectacular tackles, such interventions were not his style.
"Sometimes that kind of last-ditch tackle can get the crowd excited and you get a push from that," he added. "It's important to play with that psychological side of the game, but it depends on the quality of the player.
"Stevie is great when he makes those kind of tackles, Carra [Jamie Carragher] and [Javier] Mascherano, too. With me it's different."
And the Spain international also reiterated just how much it would mean to Liverpool to win the Premier League this season, comparing it to his nation winning international glory last summer.
He concluded, "It makes you feel the responsibility you have. People are really anxious for us to have the chance to win the Premiership. And that motivates me even more than I already am.
"It would be similar to Spain winning a major tournament. It would take the weight, the burden, off everyone’s shoulders."
Speaking to Spanish journalist Guillem Balague's official website, in an interview about tactics with former Reds great Jan Molby, Alonso felt the midfielder's role had changed from the 'box-to-box', all-action, defending and attacking players of the 1980's, like his father, with the position now possessing several subtle variations.
"Now, teams employ 4-1-4-1, 4-3-3, 4-2-3-1 – its more about keeping in position than getting into the box," he explained.
"I hardly ever get in the box. You have to know your role and accept it, because that's what is best for the team.
"I really enjoy it where I am because I want to be involved in every part of the game and in this position you are right in the middle. You're close to attack, close to the wings, defence; you get more touches than anyone else. Michael Carrick can do that for England. But the football culture is quite different here in England.
"In England, those qualities of playing it simple, being in the right position, reading the game, knowing the right moment to make things happen around you are not appreciated. Making a tackle, a run into the box, the spectacular things are more appreciated."
Alonso also highlighted that although players like Steven Gerrard could get the crowd going with spectacular tackles, such interventions were not his style.
"Sometimes that kind of last-ditch tackle can get the crowd excited and you get a push from that," he added. "It's important to play with that psychological side of the game, but it depends on the quality of the player.
"Stevie is great when he makes those kind of tackles, Carra [Jamie Carragher] and [Javier] Mascherano, too. With me it's different."
And the Spain international also reiterated just how much it would mean to Liverpool to win the Premier League this season, comparing it to his nation winning international glory last summer.
He concluded, "It makes you feel the responsibility you have. People are really anxious for us to have the chance to win the Premiership. And that motivates me even more than I already am.
"It would be similar to Spain winning a major tournament. It would take the weight, the burden, off everyone’s shoulders."
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