Rafa Benitez is about to discover the full extent of Alberto Aquilani's latest fitness setback after refusing to rule out fears his injury-jinxed midfielder could be out for the rest of the season.
The £20million signing from Roma damaged an ankle in training and failed to make the trip to Lisbon for Thursday's Europa League quarter-final first leg with Benfica after being booked in for a scan on Merseyside.
Benitez initially played down concerns that the Italy midfielder faced another lengthy lay-off but would not be drawn on the possibility that his season may already have ended.
'We have to check on Alberto and find out exactly what he has done,' said the Liverpool manager, after touching down in Lisbon and hosting a late-night press conference in the team hotel at nearly 10pm.
'We should have an answer to that sometime tomorrow and can only hope for the best in the meantime. I don't think it is too serious, but it is clear he has a problem with his ankle.
'Is that the end of his season? We have to check tomorrow. We will see then.'
Aquilani was still recuperating from ankle surgery when he signed for Liverpool and was kept waiting for his debut after his recovery went on longer than expected.
He has made few appearances in the starting line-up since, amid increasing misgivings that he is struggling to cope with the physical demands of the Barclays Premier League.
The £20million signing from Roma damaged an ankle in training and failed to make the trip to Lisbon for Thursday's Europa League quarter-final first leg with Benfica after being booked in for a scan on Merseyside.
Benitez initially played down concerns that the Italy midfielder faced another lengthy lay-off but would not be drawn on the possibility that his season may already have ended.
'We have to check on Alberto and find out exactly what he has done,' said the Liverpool manager, after touching down in Lisbon and hosting a late-night press conference in the team hotel at nearly 10pm.
'We should have an answer to that sometime tomorrow and can only hope for the best in the meantime. I don't think it is too serious, but it is clear he has a problem with his ankle.
'Is that the end of his season? We have to check tomorrow. We will see then.'
Aquilani was still recuperating from ankle surgery when he signed for Liverpool and was kept waiting for his debut after his recovery went on longer than expected.
He has made few appearances in the starting line-up since, amid increasing misgivings that he is struggling to cope with the physical demands of the Barclays Premier League.
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