Liverpool FC Forum

[Ben Patrick]

Sounds like we are reaching the end game now. A few reports are saying that THE DEAL HAS BEEN DONE subject to a medical etc.

Aquilani from what I have read (can't say I have seen him play much) is a top class passer, with a good shot and was touted to become a world class star but for his injuries. Supposedly had an outstanding game against Madrid a couple of years ago.

I would have felt a little more confident if we had signed Barry, but onwards and upwards.

Where have you heard that mate ?

Tbh i hope its true now, we need this putting to bed asap so we can get properly prepared for the season.

[Sabre]

does he just not rate the players even at these reduceded

Yes, I think that's the case Joe. I can't enter Rafa's mind as you know (none of us can), but I think he must have in that great database of his some numbers and stats that makes him want very specific players.

It's like Owen, he never seemed to be a Rafa man and we didn't take him when he went to Newcastle (I remember Owen saying he wanted to wait til the last moment just in case Liverpool knocked the door), and we didn't take him for free now. He's simply not a Rafa man, for some Rafa reason, and I just guess that's the case of Real Madrid exchange players too.

This Aquilani is a Rafa bet so let's see what happens (1), and still lets us some millions to spend. We need a replacement for Torres.

(1) Hardly the end of the world, if Rafa had a plan last summer to sell Alonso it was because he can imagine a winning Liverpool without him, and this summer he'll have a plan too.

[account deleted by request]

Liverpool have signed Roma midfielder Alberto Aquilani, according to the latest reports from Spain.

Marca claims Roma have accepted an €18million bid for the Italian midfielder. Reds manager Rafael Benitez is said to be keen on the Italian.

The report suggests the Spanish coach has moved in quickly in an attempt to have an alternative to Xabi Alonso. Voices in Spain claim Alonso is on the verge of joining Real Madrid, and it appears Liverpool have wasted no time in signing his replacement.

It is said Liverpool are still trying to negotiate a deal with Real Madrid for Alonso. According to Marca, the Reds want nothing less than  €35m for the Spanish international.

Sky Sport Italia are speculating that Aquilani has agreed to a four year deal worth €4m per season with the Reds, but the move is hinging on Alonso's passage to the Bernabeu.

Despite the reports in Spain, there has been no official confirmation from Roma regarding the news that Aquilani has signed for the Anfield-based club.

link

Its also on the BBC SPORTS page mate. (presumably from the same source? )

[aCe']

That Aquilani looks like he's got a decent shot on him. I'd be happy to sit him 30 yards out vs the park-the-bus teams and just tell him and Dagger to shoot

Some of his goals look good on youtube mate, but he's been at Roma his whole career (bar one loan stint when he was a young player) and at 26 years of age has only scored 9 goals for Roma.  Whats that?  Less than 2 a season?  Hardly prolific.

More exactly, 2002-2009 he's made only 102 appearances (injury problems) and scored 9 goals.

I assume he's not being bought for his goals, but I honestly haven't seen enough on him to comment on the rest of his game.

I also note he's now a Liverpool player on his Wikipedia page

Hopefully this is just a loose lead!
Fecking hell that goal record is abysmal...he sounds worse than Dossena did,he was rated in Italy and turned out shi'te.This guys own fans want him out....he must be feckin rank!

I cant believe Rafa will go for him,he'll have looked at his goal record and injury history!
Why would he want him?..Its a smokescreen......I hope!

2005/2006 until 2008/2009 the guy started 47 LEAGUE games for Roma... Scored 9 league goals in those games which isnt that bad i guess..

The guy is a quality player who will offer our side much in terms of attacking contribution down the middle... hes comfortable on the ball and is a very good passer of the ball... hes good from long range and is excellent at bringing other players into play ..
His injury record is obviously a concern but then again pretty much every player in Roma has been suffering with injuries in the past few years and many are blaming the training methods and pitch for that... not saying its the main reason just saying it might have something to do with that...

The guy though, Aquilani, is a brilliant player... i think he fits the bill and there arent many i'd want ahead of him... between him and Sneijder (if they cost the same money) i'd take Aquilani... If he can adapt to our style and indeed to the English game well, i think he'll become a big player for us... offers that extra something we're looking for in the attacking end and is much better than Sneijder & VDV at the defensive end...

His own fans DONT want him out.. the only reason Roma are considering the deal i guess is because theyr in financial trouble and they have other players who can (and have been) play(ing) the position he plays.. Hes a good player and if we can get him fit and going i think he'll be a very good buy for us... hope its not a smokescreen because the other targets we've been linked to (Cattermole, Parker..etc) are nowhere near as good...

[kazza]

the thing that I am curious about is why we seemed so adamant about cash only. it seemed at the end, Madrid was willing to undervalue their own talent in order to push the deal through.

One word - Nunez

[Bammo]

How dare you suggest Parker isn't as good!

We all know he's the best replacement we could get!

[heimdall]

the thing that I am curious about is why we seemed so adamant about cash only. it seemed at the end, Madrid was willing to undervalue their own talent in order to push the deal through.

One word - Nunez

   

[Number 9]

That Aquilani looks like he's got a decent shot on him. I'd be happy to sit him 30 yards out vs the park-the-bus teams and just tell him and Dagger to shoot

Some of his goals look good on youtube mate, but he's been at Roma his whole career (bar one loan stint when he was a young player) and at 26 years of age has only scored 9 goals for Roma.  Whats that?  Less than 2 a season?  Hardly prolific.

More exactly, 2002-2009 he's made only 102 appearances (injury problems) and scored 9 goals.

I assume he's not being bought for his goals, but I honestly haven't seen enough on him to comment on the rest of his game.

I also note he's now a Liverpool player on his Wikipedia page

Hopefully this is just a loose lead!
Fecking hell that goal record is abysmal...he sounds worse than Dossena did,he was rated in Italy and turned out shi'te.This guys own fans want him out....he must be feckin rank!

I cant believe Rafa will go for him,he'll have looked at his goal record and injury history!
Why would he want him?..Its a smokescreen......I hope!

2005/2006 until 2008/2009 the guy started 47 LEAGUE games for Roma... Scored 9 league goals in those games which isnt that bad i guess..

The guy is a quality player who will offer our side much in terms of attacking contribution down the middle... hes comfortable on the ball and is a very good passer of the ball... hes good from long range and is excellent at bringing other players into play ..
His injury record is obviously a concern but then again pretty much every player in Roma has been suffering with injuries in the past few years and many are blaming the training methods and pitch for that... not saying its the main reason just saying it might have something to do with that...

The guy though, Aquilani, is a brilliant player... i think he fits the bill and there arent many i'd want ahead of him... between him and Sneijder (if they cost the same money) i'd take Aquilani... If he can adapt to our style and indeed to the English game well, i think he'll become a big player for us... offers that extra something we're looking for in the attacking end and is much better than Sneijder & VDV at the defensive end...

His own fans DONT want him out.. the only reason Roma are considering the deal i guess is because theyr in financial trouble and they have other players who can (and have been) play(ing) the position he plays.. Hes a good player and if we can get him fit and going i think he'll be a very good buy for us... hope its not a smokescreen because the other targets we've been linked to (Cattermole, Parker..etc) are nowhere near as good...

Well you must have seen him play mate..I do not watch Italian football!
I've seen him on youtube but that is no way to gauge any player....Degen would look good on there ffs!

Maybe you are right,and he may be what you say..will he adapt to the game in England?Who knows?

My biggest problem is that I considered Xabi pretty close to world class for us,especially last season.To me we need someone of that quality or better or its a backward step in terms of first team strength!
This guy may turn out good..but will he be good enough?Xabis are big boots to fill!
I guess every signing from abroad is a gamble..this one does not fill me with any confidence though!

I'll believe it when its done and official..until then Im hoping its a load of balls!

[Reg]

yep, it's a smoke screen alright - SILVA SPOTTED IN LIVERPOOL!...

FFS!

You keep the Silva, I´ll take the Beaver ! 

[The Fabiomenal 1]

I was very surprised when I read the news about the Liverpool's interest for Aquilani for the first time! I think Reds would become weak if they decided to buy Aquilani and sell Xabi Alonso.

OK, I'm SS Lazio fan and I can't tolerate AS Rome and its players . Despite this if I must talk seriously I don't have difficult to admit that Rome has many very good players like Totti, De Rossi, Mexes, Juan, Pizarro. What I want to say is that I think Aquilani isn't considerable a player of primary level.

Obviously I follow Serie A as you follow Premier League (which it's however my favourite championship ). I'd define Alberto Aquilani an hypothesys of player. They're five years that the medias treat him as a great talent but now he's 25! The problem is he hasn't boomed yet. This is due to his physical problems. Last season he played 14 games in Serie A. He has been absent during all the second part of the season. During 2007-2008 season he played 21 games, while in 2005-2006 even 13! Now he's carrying on a differed work because of the injury that stopped him six months ago. I can't make a complete opinion about this player. Simply because he plays too less during a season. Until this moment in his career he has done 5-6 great performances (for example against Lazio in 2005/2006 derby, Real Madrid, Montenegro with Italy) but not more than this.

Moreover he's not the ideal substitute of Alonso. He's more offensive, he's a gunman. He's a 8 in the old system of numbers. I read that Xabi is one of the midfielder that plays the greatest number of balls and has one of the greatest percent of completed passes. In Rome Pizarro is the director of midfield and eventually De Rossi. In fact every time AS Rome's coach Spalletti decide to play with two central midfielders Aquilani starts sitted on the bench (if he isn't injured).

I consider this player very overrated. The real price should be about 5-10 M, not 20! It's too exaggerated for a player which can't guarantee not even half season. In Italy there are D'Agostino, Inler of Udinese, Palombo of Sampdoria, Montolivo of Fiorentina and Ledesma of Lazio other than Pizarro of Rome that are better than Aquilani in my opinion. They've maybe less talent than him but they're certainties and not bets.

If I were Rafa Benitez I'd point all on Marcos Senna of Villareal. I don't know how much he costs but i think he would be the ideal substitue of Xabi Alonso.

[account deleted by request]

I hope Rafa opted for the five year warrenty on Aquilani

[Number 9]

I was very surprised when I read the news about the Liverpool's interest for Aquilani for the first time! I think Reds would become weak if they decided to buy Aquilani and sell Xabi Alonso.

OK, I'm SS Lazio fan and I can't tolerate AS Rome and its players . Despite this if I must talk seriously I don't have difficult to admit that Rome has many very good players like Totti, De Rossi, Mexes, Juan, Pizarro. What I want to say is that I think Aquilani isn't considerable a player of primary level.

Obviously I follow Serie A as you follow Premier League (which it's however my favourite championship ). I'd define Alberto Aquilani an hypothesys of player. They're five years that the medias treat him as a great talent but now he's 25! The problem is he hasn't boomed yet. This is due to his physical problems. Last season he played 14 games in Serie A. He has been absent during all the second part of the season. During 2007-2008 season he played 21 games, while in 2005-2006 even 13! Now he's carrying on a differed work because of the injury that stopped him six months ago. I can't make a complete opinion about this player. Simply because he plays too less during a season. Until this moment in his career he has done 5-6 great performances (for example against Lazio in 2005/2006 derby, Real Madrid, Montenegro with Italy) but not more than this.

Moreover he's not the ideal substitute of Alonso. He's more offensive, he's a gunman. He's a 8 in the old system of numbers. I read that Xabi is one of the midfielder that plays the greatest number of balls and has one of the greatest percent of completed passes. In Rome Pizarro is the director of midfield and eventually De Rossi. In fact every time AS Rome's coach Spalletti decide to play with two central midfielders Aquilani starts sitted on the bench (if he isn't injured).

I consider this player very overrated. The real price should be about 5-10 M, not 20! It's too exaggerated for a player which can't guarantee not even half season. In Italy there are D'Agostino, Inler of Udinese, Palombo of Sampdoria, Montolivo of Fiorentina and Ledesma of Lazio other than Pizarro of Rome that are better than Aquilani in my opinion. They've maybe less talent than him but they're certainties and not bets.

If I were Rafa Benitez I'd point all on Marcos Senna of Villareal. I don't know how much he costs but i think he would be the ideal substitue of Xabi Alonso.

Thanks for that mate!
Now Im even more worried though...you know the player like we know English players and dont seem too impressed by him.

Hopefully the rumour is not true!

[Ben Patrick]

Thanks for the info mate 

I think all of us LFC supporters are more than concerned if Aquilani is the replacement for Alonso. He is virtually unkown to us and his injury record is awful. Added to the fact that we are not going to be sure how he would adapt to our faster more physical league.

Senna is a good shout btw !

[Julio-0]

I was very surprised when I read the news about the Liverpool's interest for Aquilani for the first time! I think Reds would become weak if they decided to buy Aquilani and sell Xabi Alonso.

OK, I'm SS Lazio fan and I can't tolerate AS Rome and its players . Despite this if I must talk seriously I don't have difficult to admit that Rome has many very good players like Totti, De Rossi, Mexes, Juan, Pizarro. What I want to say is that I think Aquilani isn't considerable a player of primary level.

Obviously I follow Serie A as you follow Premier League (which it's however my favourite championship ). I'd define Alberto Aquilani an hypothesys of player. They're five years that the medias treat him as a great talent but now he's 25! The problem is he hasn't boomed yet. This is due to his physical problems. Last season he played 14 games in Serie A. He has been absent during all the second part of the season. During 2007-2008 season he played 21 games, while in 2005-2006 even 13! Now he's carrying on a differed work because of the injury that stopped him six months ago. I can't make a complete opinion about this player. Simply because he plays too less during a season. Until this moment in his career he has done 5-6 great performances (for example against Lazio in 2005/2006 derby, Real Madrid, Montenegro with Italy) but not more than this.

Moreover he's not the ideal substitute of Alonso. He's more offensive, he's a gunman. He's a 8 in the old system of numbers. I read that Xabi is one of the midfielder that plays the greatest number of balls and has one of the greatest percent of completed passes. In Rome Pizarro is the director of midfield and eventually De Rossi. In fact every time AS Rome's coach Spalletti decide to play with two central midfielders Aquilani starts sitted on the bench (if he isn't injured).

I consider this player very overrated. The real price should be about 5-10 M, not 20! It's too exaggerated for a player which can't guarantee not even half season. In Italy there are D'Agostino, Inler of Udinese, Palombo of Sampdoria, Montolivo of Fiorentina and Ledesma of Lazio other than Pizarro of Rome that are better than Aquilani in my opinion. They've maybe less talent than him but they're certainties and not bets.

If I were Rafa Benitez I'd point all on Marcos Senna of Villareal. I don't know how much he costs but i think he would be the ideal substitue of Xabi Alonso.

I agree

allora qualche italiano c'è

[Igor Zidane]

Apart from our friend from Lazio , does anyone have any idea if this lads any good like(none biased if poss). I don't even think i've seen him play . I need and crave info on the lad (not feckin You tube ) . Some say he's ace , and some say he's cack . Well give me a definative feckin answer please.
Very worried about thhe injuries though .