Who is Alberto Aquilani? That is the question many Liverpool supporters have been asking during the past week after it emerged the Roma midfielder was being lined up as a replacement for Xabi Alonso.
Only true Serie A aficionados would claim to possess anything more than just a sketchy knowledge of the 25-year-old Italy international who is poised to complete a £20million move to Anfield.
But it’s not the first time Rafael Benitez has tested the faith of Liverpool fans by spending big on a creative midfielder largely unheralded on these shores.
Five years ago, it was the arrival of Alonso that had the Anfield faithful scratching their heads. However, the Spaniard left for Real Madrid earlier this week having cemented his place in club folklore, not least for his efforts in helping Benitez’s side claim the European Cup in 2005.
Aquilani has some act to follow. But, according to his Roma team-mates, Liverpool are gaining a genuine talent.
I am sorry about Alberto, who, as well as being a friend, is a great player and a Roman. He will be missed,” says Francesco Totti, Roma’s talismanic playmaker.
Another Roma midfielder, Daniele De Rossi, was equally salutary.
“We will lose a great player,” says the Italy international. “He’s a footballer with exceptional skill and above all he grew up in Roma’s academy and has a love for this shirt that you cannot buy. But if you think about his career I think it would be a good opportunity, he would grow a lot by being close to the best midfielder in the world – Steven Gerrard.”
“Aquilani will do well at Liverpool,” says Giuseppe Giannini, a key presence in Roma’s midfield during the 1980s and 90s.
“He would not have any problems adapting to the Premier League. English football is perfect for Aquilani. He has all the right characteristics to do well there. He will show Liverpool what he is all about.
“I have no doubts that Liverpool will sign a great player in Aquilani.”
But for all the plaudits, there remains a question mark hanging over Aquilani. The midfielder has only recently returned from an ankle operation, and his fitness concerns mean he made only 14 league appearances last season and 21 the campaign before that.
Only true Serie A aficionados would claim to possess anything more than just a sketchy knowledge of the 25-year-old Italy international who is poised to complete a £20million move to Anfield.
But it’s not the first time Rafael Benitez has tested the faith of Liverpool fans by spending big on a creative midfielder largely unheralded on these shores.
Five years ago, it was the arrival of Alonso that had the Anfield faithful scratching their heads. However, the Spaniard left for Real Madrid earlier this week having cemented his place in club folklore, not least for his efforts in helping Benitez’s side claim the European Cup in 2005.
Aquilani has some act to follow. But, according to his Roma team-mates, Liverpool are gaining a genuine talent.
I am sorry about Alberto, who, as well as being a friend, is a great player and a Roman. He will be missed,” says Francesco Totti, Roma’s talismanic playmaker.
Another Roma midfielder, Daniele De Rossi, was equally salutary.
“We will lose a great player,” says the Italy international. “He’s a footballer with exceptional skill and above all he grew up in Roma’s academy and has a love for this shirt that you cannot buy. But if you think about his career I think it would be a good opportunity, he would grow a lot by being close to the best midfielder in the world – Steven Gerrard.”
“Aquilani will do well at Liverpool,” says Giuseppe Giannini, a key presence in Roma’s midfield during the 1980s and 90s.
“He would not have any problems adapting to the Premier League. English football is perfect for Aquilani. He has all the right characteristics to do well there. He will show Liverpool what he is all about.
“I have no doubts that Liverpool will sign a great player in Aquilani.”
But for all the plaudits, there remains a question mark hanging over Aquilani. The midfielder has only recently returned from an ankle operation, and his fitness concerns mean he made only 14 league appearances last season and 21 the campaign before that.
Aquilani hasn’t played since Roma’s Champions League defeat by Arsenal, and De Rossi admits: “His many injuries have maybe meant that he's been forgotten about a bit, but I am sure that if he leaves we will regret it.”
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