Sunderland midfielder Dean Whitehead believes the departure of Xabi Alonso to Real Madrid coul have a negative impact on the Liverpool team.

Ahead of tonight's Premier League clash between the Potters and the Reds at Anfield, Whitehead said he sees Alonso leaving as a massive loss to Rafael Benitez's squad.

"I think Alonso is going to be a major miss for them," he said.

"He seemed to run the game when he was playing.

"It is going to be a big gap for them to fill and a hard act to follow for whoever steps into his shoes.

"We have to make sure we got there and frustrate them and see if we can hit them on the break as well."