The excitement surrounding Liverpool's 11-match winning streak extends beyond Merseyside to Spain, where former Reds midfielder Xabi Alonso is watching on with equal happiness.

Brendan Rodgers' team downed Norwich City 3-2 on Sunday to extend their advantage at the summit of the Barclays Premier League to five points, with three games left to navigate.

Now at La Liga heavyweights Real Madrid, after spending five productive seasons at Anfield - where he lifted the Champions League and FA Cup - Alonso has not lost interest in his old club.

In fact, the 32-year-old has described the Reds' scintillating form as 'thrilling', revealing his pleasure at what may unfold for teammates from the past such as Steven Gerrard and Lucas Leiva.

Asked if he keeps track of Liverpool's fortunes, Alonso told SI.com: "Absolutely, absolutely. Whenever I'm not on work duty, I keep an eye on the Reds. I'm really excited.

"It's thrilling what's happening in the city right now. What they are doing at the moment is so admirable, the players, the coaches.

"11 wins in a row is a massive achievement, and they are so close to winning the league for the first time in 24 years.

"So I'm really looking forward to it and happy for the ones I know like Stevie and Lucas, the ones I played with there."