Liverpool have had their fair share of pass masters in recent history.
Trent Alexander-Arnold is one of the best passers on the planet right now, while Thiago Alcantara had unbelievable abilities as a playmaker.
Of course, Steven Gerrard could pick out a 40-yard ball blindfolded, while Mohamed Salah has won multiple Playmaker Awards in the Premier League.
Speaking to ESPN, Chelsea legend, Michael Essien has been building what he deems to be the ‘perfect footballer’ made up of a number of key attributes, and, interestingly, he picked another former Liverpool star as the best passer of all-time.
Michael Essien in action for chelsea
Photo by Paul Gilham/Getty Images
Michael Essien picks Xabi Alonso as the best passer ever
Essien was asked to build his perfect footballer made up of a number of different attributes.
Inevitably, a number of Chelsea legends earned praise here as the likes of Frank Lampard and N’Golo Kante were mentioned for their workrate and finishing respectively.
Meanwhile, in terms of passing, Essien actually picked Xabi Alonso.
Of course, Essien had many midfield battles with Alonso when he was at Liverpool before he made his £30m move to Real Madrid in 2009.
Michael Essien record alongside Xabi Alonso
Alonso and Essien may be best remembered as rivals at Liverpool and Chelsea, especially during those infamous Champions League battles, but, what’s easily forgotten is that these two were teammates at one point.
Indeed, Essien did have a short loan spell at Real Madrid during the 2012/13 season and he’d often play in the midfield next to Xabi Alonso with Mesut Ozil playing further forwards.
Interestingly, Essien and Alonso had a fantastic record together for Madrid.
Michael Essien record alongside Xabi Alonso
Games 22
Wins 14
Draws 4
Losses 4
Real Madrid only lost four matches when Alonso and Essien played together, and, frustratingly, one of those games was the Copa Del Rey final against Atletico Madrid.
Essien has seen first-hand just how good of a passer Alonso was, and it genuinely isn’t a stretch to suggest that he may be the best of all-time in this regard.