by Tim LFC » Thu Oct 01, 2009 10:10 pm
I thought some of you would like to see this interview with Aquilani i got of RAWK:
Alberto Aquilani
Is it true you were offered lucrative contracts by Chelsea and Arsenal in 2001 - When you were just 16?
I can't tell you because at that time I was too young to care about my future. I just wanted to enjoy playing for Roma, the club I always supported. A few years later my father Claudio told me there had been a few English clubs who wanted to sign me, I was proud of that. I come from Rome and everybody in my family supports Roma, so for me, it has been much easier to move abroad to play rather than play to play for another Italian club. I don't know if i'll have to play against Roma, perhaps in the CL. But it would be different. I would struggle if I had to play in the same league as Roma, week in week out.
Did you always plan to play in English football at one stage of your career?
I have always watched Premier League matches on television, I can't say if it is the best football in Europe, but for sure it's the most spectacular, dynamic and challenging. It's very good fun watching it, mostly because the matches are never over and even if you are leading by two or three goals you still keep attacking. And the stadiums, every time i play there, are the most beautiful and all have terrific atmospheres.
For those English supporters who have only seen you play in the CL and briefly for Italy at the WC in 2006, how would you describe yourself as a player?
I'm a midfielder who attacks but can also play deep. My favourite position is behind the strikers so i can build the game and make the final killer pass. I don't score too many goals and this is one thing that i want to improve upon, I consider myself a team player and i always give everything on the pitch.
What has Benitez said to your about your role in the team?
I haven't spoken to the manager much about tactics. He told me he knows my skills and my playing strengths but overall he made me feel all his trust. That is the most important thing for every player. And for me it's the same; I know Liverpool have spent millions on signing me but i'm here to prove i'm worth it.
Liverpool seemed to have prepared the deal to sign you once Xabi Alonso was joining Real Madrid. How would you compare yourself to him as a player - are you honoured or daunted about filling such boots?
Alonso is for sure one of the best in the world, and so i am more than honoured to be compared to him. We are not the same kind of player. I think I'm more attacking than him but he has a terrific long pass and a unique vision for the game. I guess we could even have played in the same team.
Liverpool came second in the PL and reached the semi finals of last season's Champions League (we didn't), There's no doubt; this year they want to try and go one better. What is it like to challenge for the big trophies?
Liverpool are a great team, I know their history and their recent past. If you are from Rome, even if like my case, you were not born yet, you have heard the story of the 1984 European cup final hundreds of times. But I don't come from a small club; despite having financial troubles in recent years Roma have been at the top end of Italian football for the last few seasons, we have always been consistent. And we have done pretty well in Europe as well. I don't want to compare the two sides, all i can say is that I am beyond excited to win important trophies with Liverpool FC.
How much are you looking forward to playing with Steven Gerrard?
There are champions at this club, such as Torres and Gerrard, who can make the difference at any moment and inspire the team. I'm thrilled to play alongside them also because i'm sure they will be able to improve my game.
You do realise Liverpool as a city is very different to Rome! What plans are you making so you can adapt well and don't get homesick?
Rome is my beloved town and the place I want to return to when I stop playing. Maybe I will go back and play there again one day. You never know in football. But I'm a professional and my choice to play abroad can't be affected by anything. I wanted to play for Liverpool and i'm happy to have that chance. I don't know the city yet, even if Rome is the best city in my eyes. I will go back there any time I can, but for the next few years that will be enough. Football is my life, my priority. I'm an ambitious man, and I want to have an impact at this club.
How is your English?
I don't speak English very well, I know a few words. I was told the accent in Liverpool is harder to understand than the London one. But I can't see how the language will be a problem in a dressing room where there are also many Spaniards to help me, at least at the beginning.
You already have 11 caps. What will moving to Liverpool do for your chances of making Italy's squad at the next WC?
I want to play in the next WC, definitely. Marcello Lippi knows me pretty well and I know he appreciates me. But to be honest, I don't think I have more or less chance in the Premier League than in Serie A. I'm confident I can deliver and then it's all up to me. All the rest will follow because only on the pitch can you give a good account of yourself.
! I scored with him in Old Trafford in 95th minute and it was 37 yard screamer! If he is anything like on fifa 10 then we have one hell of a guy lethal with his long range shots. And he made Gerrards long range attempts look decent. 
