Let’s get one thing straight, Alvaro Arbeloa was no Steve Finnan.
The Spanish international was a fine defender, but there was really no comparison to the classy full-back with the Limerick roots.
Arbeloa was signed for Liverpool in 2007 as Finnan’s replacement, and much to our displeasure, ousted the Republic of Ireland man in 2008 before Finnan left for Espanyol that summer.
Arbeloa didn’t spend too much longer on Merseyside himself, leaving the Reds in 2009 to rejoin Real Madrid, where he became a firm managerial favourite.
However, his career looks set to be drawing to a close this weekend, when it expected he will feature for the final time for the club, with his contract up this summer.
Jose Mourinho paid the full back a handsome compliment on Saturday afternoon, describing the 33-year-old as a great friend of his, and ex-Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard also hopped on board the tribute bandwagon via his Instagram.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BFKAr0YHHug/?taken-by=stevengerrard&hl=en
Arbeloa saw the message, and responded with a lovely tribute of his own to L.A Galaxy’s version of Lionel Messi with gushing praise for the former Reds captain.
“For a legend like you to remember me in a time like this makes me so proud. Playing alongside you was more than any title. Thank you, Captain. #YNWA”
https://www.instagram.com/p/BFMYrKKRWZO/?taken-by=17arbeloa
Considering Arbeloa won a La Liga title, two Copa Del Reys and one Champions League, that’s high praise indeed.
