Steven Gerrard has admitted he was "devastated" by Liverpool's decision to sell Xabi Alonso to Real Madrid in the summer.

The Liverpool captain says the loss of Alonso, who moved to the Bernabéu for £30m after five seasons at Anfield, has been one of the reasons the side have struggled so badly this season.

In an interview with FourFourTwo magazine, Gerrard described the Spain midfielder as one of the world's best, but said it was down to the current Liverpool squad to turn their season around after a run of seven defeats this season.

"Devastated, yeah. Devastated. But there was nothing I could do about it," Gerrard said. "Xabi said a long time ago that he wanted another chapter in his career and finally he got it and his team-mates and the coaches couldn't stand in his way. We just have to say thanks and move forward without him."

Liverpool spent some of the proceeds from the sale of Alonso on Alberto Aquilani, who has yet to play a full game due to injury after his move from Roma.

"It's always going to be different when you lose one of the best players in the world," Gerrard said, "And people are finally realising that's what he is, on the back of his form for Real Madrid and the difference in us from last year. We've got other midfielders here doing a good job but it will take a while before Alonso's out of our system because he was such a top player."