Pepe Reina fears that Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez will rue the departure of compatriot Xabi Alonso because the midfielder is virtually irreplaceable.
The Spain star sealed his protracted move to £30million Real Madrid last week and Benitez moved quickly to bring in £20m Italy international Albert Aquilani from Roma.
But the Reds No 1 is concerned that his side may struggle to compensate Alonso's absence in midfield this season, particularly with captain Steven Gerrard facing a race against time to be fit for Saturday's Barclays Premier League opener against Spurs, while new boy Aquilani has already been ruled out for the trip to White Hart Lane.
'It is very difficult to find a player like Xabi,' the goalkeeper said.
'Of the central midfielders in the world it is very difficult to find one as complete as Alonso. He is like a fabulous orchestra conductor on the pitch.
'He can do everything. He can play short passes, long passes, he heads it well and he is tactically very astute.'
Despite losing the services of his compatriot, Reina is still adamant that Liverpool are in with a serious shout to win an elusive Premier League title this term.
The Reds were blighted by inconsistent home form during their quest to prise the championship from the grasp of champions Manchester United, finishing runners-up.
But with United boss Sir Alex Ferguson losing key men Cristiano Ronaldo and Carlos Tevez in the close season, Reina believes there is great expectation at Anfield.
'This year almost all the big sides have lost an important player,' he added.
'I believe Everton, Aston Villa or Manchester City could really make it exciting this season.'
The Spain star sealed his protracted move to £30million Real Madrid last week and Benitez moved quickly to bring in £20m Italy international Albert Aquilani from Roma.
But the Reds No 1 is concerned that his side may struggle to compensate Alonso's absence in midfield this season, particularly with captain Steven Gerrard facing a race against time to be fit for Saturday's Barclays Premier League opener against Spurs, while new boy Aquilani has already been ruled out for the trip to White Hart Lane.
'It is very difficult to find a player like Xabi,' the goalkeeper said.
'Of the central midfielders in the world it is very difficult to find one as complete as Alonso. He is like a fabulous orchestra conductor on the pitch.
'He can do everything. He can play short passes, long passes, he heads it well and he is tactically very astute.'
Despite losing the services of his compatriot, Reina is still adamant that Liverpool are in with a serious shout to win an elusive Premier League title this term.
The Reds were blighted by inconsistent home form during their quest to prise the championship from the grasp of champions Manchester United, finishing runners-up.
But with United boss Sir Alex Ferguson losing key men Cristiano Ronaldo and Carlos Tevez in the close season, Reina believes there is great expectation at Anfield.
'This year almost all the big sides have lost an important player,' he added.
'I believe Everton, Aston Villa or Manchester City could really make it exciting this season.'
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