Liverpool FC Forum

by **Dazzer** » Wed Oct 21, 2009 12:26 am

We needed to sign ruud van nistolHenry to win prem this year.

Man think how good he would be. :buttrock

by **Greavesie** » Wed Oct 21, 2009 12:37 am

I hope he knows what he has to prove so early on. He has to bring balance to the side almost straight away. Christ I can't bear the thought of him settling in and then p!ssing off injured again and being in and out the team. Hopefully when hes fit and ready its for the season

by **Madmax** » Wed Oct 21, 2009 12:39 am

Greavesie wrote:I hope he knows what he has to prove so early on. He has to bring balance to the side almost straight away. Christ I can't bear the thought of him settling in and then p!ssing off injured again and being in and out the team. Hopefully when hes fit and ready its for the season

Considering the bad luck we are suffering i wouldn't be surprised if that does happen. Another legthy lay off for the prone.

by **Kerry07** » Wed Oct 21, 2009 12:55 am

[quote="Madmax"][/quote]
Two reasons why i cannot wait for Aquilani's appearance...

ONE - To see some smooth attacking play and controlled possession

TWO - So that the diabolical Lucas is out of the team, and is sold asap please God.

by **Rush Job** » Thu Oct 22, 2009 2:03 am

Well with all the talk about Rafa the lads first run out seems to have gone unnoticed.
Looked steady enough, not sure he will make the bench for the weekend although I`d be looking to give him 15/20 minutes.

by **Toffeehater** » Thu Oct 22, 2009 6:41 am

The way we are playing he can't do much worse then any out there . If its possible for him to get 45 minutes , i'd say throw him out there , but knowing rafa he'd be cautious , so he might just make the bench

by **Owzat** » Thu Oct 22, 2009 7:30 am

Rush Job wrote:Well with all the talk about Rafa the lads first run out seems to have gone unnoticed.
Looked steady enough, not sure he will make the bench for the weekend although I`d be looking to give him 15/20 minutes.

I heard he might make his first appearance, but like you say the result on Tuesday overshadowed that - and rightly so.

I'm thinking he could be on the bench, but everyone needs to give 100% and do we want him to even come on and throw himself into the fray in a match such as this? He could make a difference, he could simply get injured. I'd rather his first 1st team appearance was done absolutely right, ideally a GENTLE run out of 15-20 mins and will that be possible Sunday?! We can but hope to be 3-0 up or better and bring him on, or maybe he can come on when 0-3 down.........................

by **kazza** » Thu Oct 22, 2009 7:35 am

Skysports:

Alberto Aquilani made his long-awaited Liverpool debut after playing 15 minutes for the reserves on Wednesday.

The £20million summer signing came off the bench as the Reds' second string beat Sunderland reserves 2-0 at Tranmere's Prenton Park.

Goals from Daniel Pacheco and Robbie Threlfall sealed the win but all eyes, including those of co-owner George Gillett, were on the Italian international as he completed his first outing in Liverpool colours.

Aquilani's contributions to the game included a clever backheel, a couple of neat passes and a stunning cross-field ball, before he disappeared down the tunnel with a broad smile on his face and club doctor Mark Waller's arm around his shoulder.

Aquilani, who joined the Reds in August as a replacement for Xabi Alonso, arrived while still recovering from a summer ankle operation and had not kicked a ball in anger for the Reds until seven days ago.

The 25-year-old has been in full training for a week but it remains extremely unlikely that the midfielder could make a surprise first-team debut against Manchester United on Sunday, despite Liverpool losing their last four games.

It is believed that Rafa Benitez has pencilled the former Roma playmaker in for the Reds' Carling Cup fixture against Arsenal next Wednesday.

by **made in UK** » Thu Oct 22, 2009 7:57 am

I'd wait till he's fully fit, in other words I wouldn't give him any playing time against the Mancs.

Imagine Rafa did that and he got inured again, how many of those people proposing to give him playing time would accuse Rafa of recklesness?

by **kazza** » Thu Oct 22, 2009 8:03 am

BBC SPORTS:

Aquilani gives Reds timely boost

Aquilani had knee surgery before completing his move to Liverpool
Alberto Aquilani pulled on a Liverpool shirt for the first time in a match, as he played the last 15 minutes for the reserves in a 2-0 win over Sunderland.

The Italian midfielder had knee surgery before completing his £20m move from Roma in August, but has finally returned to full-time training.

Liverpool's website said he "looked composed in possession and gave fans a glimpse of his undoubted ability."

However he will not be rushed back for Sunday's visit of Manchester United.

Aquilani, who has won 11 caps for Italy, was signed as a direct replacement for Xabi Alonso when he moved to Real Madrid in the summer.

The 25-year-old, who has inherited Sami Hyypia's number four shirt, told BBC Radio 5 live afterwards: "I'm happy because I haven't played for a long time. This is important for me, for the confidence."

Reserve team coach John McMahon said: "He's done well. There's a tendency if you do come on as a sub to do too much. He's obviously a quality player and knows where and when to receive the ball.

"He's come on and acquitted himself in a fantastic way. The medical people know what he can do now. He is pushing along nicely in training."

Earlier this month, manager Rafael Benitez said he was deliberately taking the Italian's progress slowly.

His return to full fitness would be a welcome boost for a Liverpool side who lie eighth in the Premier League table after losing four of their nine League matches so far this season.

Liverpool have major injury problems, with Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres once again doubtful with groin injuries for the weekend match and Albert Riera (hamstring) definitely out.

However, defender Glen Johnson (ankle) insists he has shrugged off his injury and will be fit to play.

by **Zurbaran** » Thu Oct 22, 2009 9:29 am

Had a few nice touches and could have had a hand in a goal if Brouwer had of had the awareness to pass the ball. Pulled out of a couple of challenges probably due to his injury and the long lay off. After seeing that I don't think he'll take part in Sunday's match, you never know though he might make the bench just to throw a spanner in the works and to give the lads a bit of a boost.

by **Scottbot** » Thu Oct 22, 2009 6:53 pm

Zurbaran wrote:Had a few nice touches and could have had a hand in a goal if Brouwer had of had the awareness to pass the ball. Pulled out of a couple of challenges probably due to his injury and the long lay off. After seeing that I don't think he'll take part in Sunday's match, you never know though he might make the bench just to throw a spanner in the works and to give the lads a bit of a boost.

How much pressure on this lad's shoulders to come in and be the saviour!

Some good news at last eh! I saw a few highlights on the offal and he showed some nice touches, a nice little stepover followed by a raking crossfield pass looked good, he had a crack at one of those back-heels into the path of an oncoming midfielder that he is well known for and then that run and pass to nearly set Brouwer on his way.

by **Scottbot** » Thu Oct 22, 2009 7:41 pm

Here he is!

Aquilani debut...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uiBTy2nucYA

by **stmichael** » Thu Oct 22, 2009 7:55 pm

it's hard to draw any conclusions from the reserve game as the pace is so slow. i expect we'll probably see him play 20-25 minutes against arsenal next week in an attempt to build up his fitness.

by **Madmax** » Thu Oct 22, 2009 8:38 pm

Scottbot wrote:Here he is!

Aquilani debut...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uiBTy2nucYA

some nice touches..

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