Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez insists new signing Alberto Aquilani will prove to be a shrewd acquisition.
The Italy international has joined the Reds in a £15million switch from Roma, but is currently sidelined with an ankle problem.
The 25-year-old has been hampered by injuries for the past two seasons, with his first-team outings severely limited as a result.
His lack of action has led to fears that his body is unable to withstand the rigours of top level football.
Benitez, though, is adamant that is not the case, claiming Aquilani has just been unfortunate to pick up a few niggling knocks.
"If Aquilani was in a normal market he would cost £25-30m but because of the operation he had on his ankle he was a bit cheaper," the Spanish coach explained in the Daily Mirror.
"We have to wait for a month for him to be fit but he is a player we are signing for five years, not for five matches.
"He had a bad tackle and an operation and that's normal he missed matches. It would have been the same with (Fernando) Torres or (Steven) Gerrard. That is why I don't think his signing is a gamble.
"I was talking with a lot of people in Italy and people are saying it is a fantastic signing."
Aquilani has been brought in to help plug the gap created by Xabi Alonso's departure to Real Madrid.
Benitez admits he was reluctant to part with the Spanish schemer, but believes he has found an able replacement.
"We couldn't change the situation of Alonso," he added.
"He decided to go, we had to progress. You have to mange in the best way you can.
"Alberto is now under the control of our medical staff because he had been going to different people. He has the quality to settle down in England."
The Italy international has joined the Reds in a £15million switch from Roma, but is currently sidelined with an ankle problem.
The 25-year-old has been hampered by injuries for the past two seasons, with his first-team outings severely limited as a result.
His lack of action has led to fears that his body is unable to withstand the rigours of top level football.
Benitez, though, is adamant that is not the case, claiming Aquilani has just been unfortunate to pick up a few niggling knocks.
"If Aquilani was in a normal market he would cost £25-30m but because of the operation he had on his ankle he was a bit cheaper," the Spanish coach explained in the Daily Mirror.
"We have to wait for a month for him to be fit but he is a player we are signing for five years, not for five matches.
"He had a bad tackle and an operation and that's normal he missed matches. It would have been the same with (Fernando) Torres or (Steven) Gerrard. That is why I don't think his signing is a gamble.
"I was talking with a lot of people in Italy and people are saying it is a fantastic signing."
Aquilani has been brought in to help plug the gap created by Xabi Alonso's departure to Real Madrid.
Benitez admits he was reluctant to part with the Spanish schemer, but believes he has found an able replacement.
"We couldn't change the situation of Alonso," he added.
"He decided to go, we had to progress. You have to mange in the best way you can.
"Alberto is now under the control of our medical staff because he had been going to different people. He has the quality to settle down in England."
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