Liverpool FC Forum

s@int wrote:Just read that Aquilani is going to get Sami Hyypia's number 4 shirt. I just hope he realises what a honour it is to wear that shirt after big Sami.

Tim LFC wrote:English Angle: Attention, Liverpool Fans - Everything You Want To Know About Alberto Aquilani
You've heard the name, now let Goal.com Italy expert Fabrizio Ponciroli fill in all the blanks on Anfield's latest midfield maestro...
6 Aug 2009 13:14:14


Is He Worthy?

Potentially, Aquilani is the ideal player to replace Xabi Alonso. He has refined feet, an excellent positional sense and he also has a good shot on goal. The only doubt: his physical condition. Too often he has been out injured. In any case, he has the personality to play for a club like Liverpool, even though he will have to learn to be more consistent.

On The Pitch

Alberto Aquilani is a central midfielder with offensive tendencies, with good feet (he can use both, even though the right foot is his favourite). He has also been employed as a classical, between-the-lines playmaker, but he has shown his best form when given full control of the midfield.

He's a very dynamic player, he has a good long-range shot (many of his greatest goals have been efforts from outside the area) but he’s also good at getting into the area untracked. He makes his presence felt on the pitch, he has a good temperament, despite his injuries, he doesn’t exactly fear the physical battle and he has, like all Italians, a strong positional sense.

He almost never loses his head (even under pressure); this is demonstrated by relatively low yellow-card count (nine in the league since playing for Roma) and he has never been sent off.


Aquilani, like Xabi, will pull all Rafa's strings

Off The Pitch

Aquilani has always been described as a calm and reserved lad. Hailing from the Roman quarter of Montesacro (where he’s considered an idol), he doesn’t like to be in the spotlight, he’s a pretty simple person, very tied to his family (he has a tattoo with the initials of his closest family members). Then there is his girlfriend, actress Michela Quattrociocche, who has recently tattooed the player’s initials on her neck to show her love for Alberto.

He won’t have problems adjusting to England, even though certainly Rome was his home. He’s not the type who talks a lot in the dressing room or on the pitch. In the Eternal City he was very well liked. Being an intelligent person, he’ll manage to find his space also in Liverpool…

The Man & The Fans

Despite being just one year younger than Daniele De Rossi, Aquilani is still considered the boy in the group at Roma. The fans have always liked him, especially for being a Roman 100 per cent.

Obviously, compared to the likes Totti and De Rossi, the Roman people’s love for him is different. Aquilani was not considered to be on their level, but he was still very well seen by the Roma fans. The phrase most often said to describe him was: “He’s good, but too often injured…”


Roma needed to get some money. Few people thought it would be up to him to pack his bags, especially because he was considered a 'son of Rome'.

Nevertheless, Liverpool could certainly represent the ideal place for Aquilani to make a jump in quality. A new environment, a new coach, and a team that seems to suit his qualities. In Rome, each time he came on the pitch, he was called on to make the difference; in Liverpool, he’ll have more time.

Value For Money

The price paid by Liverpool for Aquilani (about £18 million) is good value, because the boy has much room for improvement and, above all else, was born in 1984.

Roma certainly have done a great deal economically, but if the player will do well on the pitch, Liverpool will also say that they have not spent too much.

The boy, on paper, is worth the money spent to bring him to Anfield.

Expert Opinions

Ubaldo Righetti (former AS Roma player, 1980-1987 and voice of Roma Channel): “Aquilani has not betrayed Roma, absolutely not. It was a painful choice, both for the club and the lad. He is from Rome, he loves Rome and he never would have left, but in life you have to make choices. Roma need money and the lad needs to have new experiences. The club has always taken care of him but they had reached a point where they had to make some decisions.

"I think Aquilani will do great things at Liverpool. English football is different to Italian football but Aquilani has characteristics that will allow him to adapt himself well. He just needs to find the consistency he lacked in Rome. Certainly he will need to adapt but, knowing him, I know he will do his best. If he finds continuity, he will do exceptional things at Liverpool.

"He’s going to a team of a very high level, one of the best clubs in the world, for him it’s a great new opportunity which he has to take with both hands.”

Attilio Tesser (Aquilani’s coach at Triestina, 2003-04): “He immediately showed he was not only able to play as a central midfielder but also in one of the vertices of a diamond formation, and he immediately showed great temperament. I’d also like to underline his very positive family environment. His parents are exceptional people.”

Head To Head

baldricks_cunning_plan wrote:http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/liverpool-fc/liverpool-fc-news/2009/08/11/johnson-ready-to-double-up-100252-24370710/

New Liverpool midfielder Alberto Aquilani will wear the number four shirt at Anfield.

That number has been vacant since Sami Hyypia left for Bayer Leverkusen at the end of last season.

Roma have revealed Liverpool struck a 20million euros (£17.1million) deal for the Italian international’s transfer with various add-ons.

Their breakdown of the switch states that the Reds have only paid 5million euros (£4.3million) up front.

There will be further cash instalments of 3million euros by January 4 2010, 7million euros by June 30 2010 and 5million euros by June 30 2011.

Further payments include 300,000 euros each time Liverpool qualify for the Champions League between 2010/11 to 2014/15, 250,000 euros when the player reaches 35, 70, 105 and 140 appearances, 1million euros the first time Liverpool win either the Premier League or Champions League before June 30 2014 and 5% of any future transfer fee will be paid to Roma

JoeTerp wrote:it says 4.3 M up front.  I thought Man U paid more than that

agoodmentality wrote:

JoeTerp wrote:it says 4.3 M up front.  I thought Man U paid more than that

sorry 5M Euros  up front

I'm sure man u paid £10M for 2 seasons of tevez

and they won the PL ( that smart alex ) ...

baldricks_cunning_plan wrote:Further payments include 300,000 euros each time Liverpool qualify for the Champions League between 2010/11 to 2014/15, 250,000 euros when the player reaches 35, 70, 105 and 140 appearances, 1million euros the first time Liverpool win either the Premier League or Champions League before June 30 2014 and 5% of any future transfer fee will be paid to Roma