Liverpool favourite Xabi Alonso has heaped praise on Manchester United midfielder Michael Carrick, Metro Sport reports.
The pair are seen as two of the best central midfielders to ever grace the Barclays Premier League and they also came up against each other during numerous battles between the two fierce rivals.
Alonso, who now plys his trade in Germany with reigning Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich, has paid the England international perhaps the ultimate compliment by insisting he would not look out of place in the Spanish national team:
“I’ve always seen myself in Carrick,” the former Real Madrid deep-lying playmaker told the Sunday Times.
“He could play in the Spain national team. And for United he has been a very important player,” Alonso added.
The Merseyside outfit are the visitors to Old Trafford for a huge clash against the Red Devils on Saturday evening and Carrick is doubtful to play in that game after picking up an injury whilst on international duty with the Three Lions.
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Carrick faces a fight for a place in United strongest starting XI as the summer additions of Bastian Schweinsteiger and Morgan Schneiderlin has increased competition in the engine room at Old Trafford.