Real Madrid ace Kaka admits he's happy Liverpool sold them Xabi Alonso.

Alonso's absence has been keenly felt by crisis club Liverpool this season.

And Kaka told the Guardian: "As soon as the rumours started about Real signing him from Liverpool, I hoped Xabi was going to come. I have admired him for a few years and he impressed me by the way he operates in setting the pace of the game and in his distribution. He is extremely important for the team and I am quite happy Liverpool let him come to us."