Liverpool FC Forum

by **kazza** » Mon Mar 08, 2010 7:12 pm

Skysports:

Rafa Benitez insists that Liverpool midfielder Alberto Aquilani will be picked when he thinks it is right.

The Liverpool boss splashed out £20million on the Italian international, who was heralded as the big-name replacement for Xabi Alonso after he was sold to Real Madrid.

Aquilani, though, has played less than 10 games for the Reds, mainly due to injury, but now fully fit he is still not holding down a regular first-team berth.

"When you have been injured for a while, it's not easy for a player," said Benitez.

"Then when you are available and the team isn't doing well, it makes it even more difficult.

"You have to decide if you can afford to give him two or three games when you know he's maybe not at the level he could be, so you could end up losing some of them.

"Alberto isn't stupid. He knows the priority now has to be the team and what's best for that. All he can do is keep training and making sure he is ready when we need him."

Benitez dismissed claims that Aquilani did not play in the recent game at Wolves because of their pitch.

"When I didn't play him at Wolves, it wasn't to do with the state of their pitch," he continued.

"It was because of the kind of game and because others were available, which meant we could manage in a different way. So whether I play him at Wigan or not isn't a decision that will be determined by the pitch.

"But we have had a conversation about things and he knows the situation. Alberto is a very good professional, who was a big name in Italy, and he wants to show his quality here.

"When you're like that but cannot play for three or four months and then you're available but can't play because the team is maybe doing really well or has problems, it's a difficult situation for any professional."

Speaking in Italy, Aquilani's agent insisted that the 25-year-old was still committed to his English switch.

"Alberto made a decision of a lifetime," said Franco Zavaglia.

"He is fine at Liverpool and next year will be the most important for him

by **Fauxy** » Mon Mar 08, 2010 7:29 pm

I still think he is going to be a cracking player.. he clearly has the ability to do special things. He just needs a little time, confidence and fitness.

Rafa knows that Aqua isnt at his best at the moment and he wont reach his best untill he has had a big run of games to adjust and at this moment in time we cant be starting him because every match is important.

I do however, think that Rafa was wrong not to play him against Unirea.. those games would have helped him find form and confidence.

by **Scottbot** » Mon Mar 08, 2010 7:43 pm

Fowler_E7 wrote:why was Aquilani signed if Rafa has no plan for him? seems so pointless and a complete waste of money, when we are in a situation where every penny counts

Because I think he regrets buying the lad and on closer inspection the player we've got isn't the player we (or the manager) thought we were getting. What I will say is fair play to Rafa for leaving him out, plenty of other managers would have played the lad week in week out after spending that sort of money regardless of whether he was playing well. Not that it excuses what has (to date) been a disastrous transfer.

by **Scottbot** » Mon Mar 08, 2010 7:45 pm

Fauxy wrote:I still think he is going to be a cracking player.. he clearly has the ability to do special things. He just needs a little time, confidence and fitness.

Rafa knows that Aqua isnt at his best at the moment and he wont reach his best untill he has had a big run of games to adjust and at this moment in time we cant be starting him because every match is important.

I do however, think that Rafa was wrong not to play him against Unirea.. those games would have helped him find form and confidence.

But when AREN'T the game all important at Liverpool mate? If this kid can't get on the teamsheet for two games against a team that sounds like an STD then there isn't much hope for the lad.

by **Redman in wales** » Mon Mar 08, 2010 7:53 pm

JBG wrote:Rafas been talking about Aqualini today ahead of the Wigan game, saying that he's still part of his plans.

My guess is that he'll be on the first flight home to Italy this summer. One upside is that he's highly rated in Italy, so someone like Juventus or Milan will probably give us most of our money back.

glad your posting again JBG

It really is shoking this situation. It's our 2nd £20Million signing that looks like it wont work, or that rafa is not allowing to work.

rafa says

"You have to decide if you can afford to give him two or three games when you know he's maybe not at the level he could be, so you could end up losing some of them.

well does this mean that he wont play again this season then?

The lad's played just 6 minutes in the last 4 games, and looks likely to be on the bench again

we were 4-1 up (on agg) against Unirea after 57 minutes - why not bring him on then? - what would be the risk then?

he needs game time - he needs to play alongside the first team. perfect opportunity in a game we couldn't lose, and he stays on the bench.

Just dont agree how he's being treated.

by **Greavesie** » Mon Mar 08, 2010 7:59 pm

Its not looking good again for Aqua man. If he cant play against Wigan then its pointless him even training over here quite frankly

Its annoying as well because he actually looks like he could be a good player over here

by **rocky29** » Mon Mar 08, 2010 11:53 pm

the problem is so obvious to me aquas only real position is behind torres but will anyone dare tell stevie g that including rafa. until sumone has the balls to do that we wont win anything? does anyone agree?

by **KOPMATT** » Tue Mar 09, 2010 12:04 am

Shoulda started tonight IMO

by **Sir Roger** » Tue Mar 09, 2010 12:27 am

KOPMATT wrote:Shoulda started tonight IMO

Should have started in a lot of games mate
Rafa must think hes a useless tw@t whos not as good as Lucas

by **boodiddy1** » Tue Mar 09, 2010 12:56 am

Thats rafa for you. Blind faith in cluelas and kuyt. The prem needs pacey players, who are strong also. Lucas and kuyt are laboured. Not to mention poor technical footballers.

Aquaman, should be given a run till end of season now. Race for CL is over, no chance in getting that. Only get europa, cos of man poo winning league cup.

by **Penguins** » Tue Mar 09, 2010 8:33 am

Agree with every word but it just won't happen.
I have been wishing for a very long time now to see the back of Kuyt.
For me he is everything what Rafa's philosophy stands for:
"Hard work is the most important thing for a footballer"

The first time it really got to me was when he picked Kuyt ahead of Crounch in the CL final 07 and since then my frustration has only been growing

And that is so very wrong. Same with Lucas. No inventiveness, slow pace, little offensive creativity and the opposite is exactly what you need to succeed in the PL!

We won't get to 4th probably next season either the way our ownership situation is, but I much rather see us finish 6th trying to play like Liverpool of old with pass and move and more willingness to take the game to the opponent, than finishing 6th playing the **** I've seen this season!

by **Owzat** » Tue Mar 09, 2010 8:35 am

DrPepe wrote:Have you heard that rafa is choosing to (or being told to) limit aqualani this year in order to prevent a first-season appearances clause and save the club £5m?

Or if you liked that one, the Robbie Keane sale was forced because we couldn't afford (ie the banks told us) to pay the follow-on payments for the player.

Seems a bit conspracy-theorist, but in the light of our tortured transfer dealings since the beginning of last season,it may almost make sense...

Sounds so unlikely it could be true

by **Owzat** » Tue Mar 09, 2010 8:36 am

Penguins wrote:I have been wishing for a very long time now to see the back of Kuyt.

never

You mean you don't just take every opportunity to slate Kuyt because he actually had a bad game

My whole belief system is now in tatters, penguin a Kuyt basher

by **stmichael** » Tue Mar 09, 2010 11:50 am

did more in his 20 minutes last night that was positive than a lot of others did in 90 which is a sad state of affairs.

by **Fauxy** » Tue Mar 09, 2010 1:28 pm

Yup he had a good 20 mins last night.. would of scored if Torres had left it but ah well

Hopefully Rafa will realise that this guy can help us win games, something that Lucas cant do

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