Come back Xabi!

With Carragher about to retire, Liverpool will soon find themselves lacking in experience. They have an average age of 23.19, making them the youngest team in this season's Premier League, and that's including Carragher's 35 years.

It's clear that the Reds need to bolster the squad this summer by bringing in 3 or 4 quality players, but for me they also need to bring in experience.

Who better to bring back to Anfield than Xabi Alonso?

The tough-tackling midfield passing specialist is currently at Real Madrid, but there have been rumours that he might be tempted back to Merseyside for a second spell at Liverpool. That would be the best possible news for Reds fans.

Imagine a midfield line up with Alonso, Lucas and Downing, with Gerrard playing off Suarez and Sturridge up front... that would be fantastic!

Admittedly the drawback to this midfield would be the lack of width - Downing would do his part down one flank, but you can't really see Alonso or Lucas tearing down the byline to swing in a cross.

On the upside, not relying on crosses into the box would fit well with Brendan Rodgers' style of play, with one-touch football and a return to the old Liverpool days of "pass and move", leading to intricate passes through the middle of the field. It can be difficult to break teams down this way particularly teams visiting Anfield who are likely to "park the bus", but it might be a nice option when facing attack-minded opposition.

Plan B would switch things up and drop one of the Alonso-Lucas partnership to the bench, bring Gerrard back into central midfield and then play Downing plus another winger (Sterling?).

By having Alonso in the side you would get a wealth of experience, and bring back someone who has passion and drive to combine with his undoubted talent. The Anfield faithful would welcome him back with open arms too! Who could forget his part in the Reds comeback in the Champions League final against AC Milan in 2005?

Come on John Henry - get your cheque book out!