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Aquilani set for Anfield bow against Birmingham on Monday night

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Jürgen4PM

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Aquilani set for Anfield bow against Birmingham on Monday night
By Sportsmail Reporter
Last updated at 6:47 PM on 08th November 2009
Liverpool fans will finally get the chance tomorrow to welcome £20million Alberto Aquilani to Anfield.

The Italy international, signed in August, has been recovering from a knee operation since.
Now, having also overcome a recent virus problem, the 25-year-old seems certain to make his Barclays Premier League debut for the club against Birmingham at Anfield.

The fans have waited so long to see the man bought to replace Xabi Alonso, so he can expect a hero's reception.

Certainly his appearance in the squad will give Liverpool's worried support something to cheer with fitness doubts surrounding Fernando Torres and Steven Gerrard.

Manager Rafael Benitez looks likely to name Aquilani on the bench, and give him the opportunity of a cameo appearance in the second half.

Benitez said: "It could be the time to let the Anfield fans see Aquilani at last.

'He has been getting fitter and had a short spell in a reserve game and then a few minutes at Arsenal in the Carling Cup.

'We had him with us in Lyon last week and I did want to bring him on. But Lucas and Javier Mascherano were controlling the game.

'So we waited a bit, we did not want to change they way the side were playing, even though he could have come on. Then we scored and there was no need to use him, it was just a shame we conceded so late.

'He was almost over the virus and he will certainly be much better on Monday.

'He has trained well. He does not have match fitness, but the only way to improve that is to play him in games.

'We have more players available now, so maybe he can be on the bench and then come on to change the game if necessary. He will certainly be involved.'

Torres has the better chance of being involved against the Midlanders as he struggles with a groin problem.

Gerrard has barely trained for a fortnight, but Benitez was pleased with his involvement in a training session yesterday and his chances of facing Birmingham improved.

Fabio Aurelio, Martin Skrtel and Albert Riera are also likely to return from injuries. Glen Johnson has also improved his after training this weekend, but he and Martin Kelly are still struggling.

Benitez at least needs Torres on the pitch for a game Liverpool must win to keep themselves in contention for a top four place.

He said: 'We hope to be able to keep going with Fernando. Maybe he can be available for Birmingham, we will see how it goes.

'It was a risk to play him against Manchester United, but he scored a fantastic goal and everyone was saying what a massive difference he makes.

'He played, and scored, at Fulham and I was criticised by a lot of 'experts' because he was taken off in the second half.

'They can see that he has a problem, but the same thing happened in Lyon when I took him off.

'You cannot win. It does not matter what you do, someone will always criticise you. It is too easy.

'Fernando will play if he continues to have less pain than before. Does he need an operation? Nobody really knows, we'll wait and see.

'I have had many players with this problem under my management over the years. They carried on, and sometimes you can play for the whole season with such a problem.

'But I have been surprised at what some critics have said about Torres' involvement. People who have played football for years seem not to understand that the manager has more information.

'So when they are on TV, they just talk and they do not really know the situation.'

Calm: Benitez has moved to quash talk his departure from Anfield is imminent

And Benitez insisted: 'I have enough experience to cope. I understand how our club is treated by the pundits in England, and the things that critics say and why.

'Hopefully people who do understand the game will know how difficult it is to manage a team like ours. I hope they can be more respectful and know we are trying to do our job here in a difficult situation.

'We have a lot of confidence in our team


Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1226134/Aquilani-set-Anfield-bow-Birmingham-Monday-night.html?ITO=1490#ixzz0WIuYXTQl
 
[quote author=Rafa4PM link=topic=37031.msg982960#msg982960 date=1257714340]
Good to see that Aquilani, Skrtel, Riera, Aurelio and maybe even SG are all back in contention.
[/quote]

we finally get to see a skertel agger combo - be interesting to see if they are the future.

hope aquilani gets at least 20 mins.

i'm nearly past caring about aurelio - yes he's talented but so was kewell. he's made of glass and nothing is going to change that - that's what worries me most about aquilani more than whether i think he is good enough
 
[quote author=rage link=topic=37031.msg982970#msg982970 date=1257714691]
[quote author=Rafa4PM link=topic=37031.msg982960#msg982960 date=1257714340]
Good to see that Aquilani, Skrtel, Riera, Aurelio and maybe even SG are all back in contention.
[/quote]

we finally get to see a skertel agger combo - be interesting to see if they are the future.

hope aquilani gets at least 20 mins.

i'm nearly past caring about aurelio - yes he's talented but so was kewell. he's made of glass and nothing is going to change that - that's what worries me most about aquilani more than whether i think he is good enough
[/quote]

I'm not relishing the skrtl agger combo, if that's what we see.
 
I'm just glad that our injury list is finally getting a little shorter mate.

Yeah it'll be interesting to see if he gives Skrtel and Agger a go together in CD. Who's going to play RB with Degen, Carra, Kelly and GlenJo all out?
 
I'm looking forward to seeing Aquilani playing. We've really missed some quality in the middle of the park. Hopefully he can turn our fortunes round.
 
[quote author=Sheik Yerbouti link=topic=37031.msg983021#msg983021 date=1257717002]
I'm looking forward to seeing Aquilani playing. We've really missed some quality in the middle of the park. Hopefully he can turn our fortunes round.
[/quote]

Haven't you heard? He's going to win us the league.
 
[quote author=Sheik Yerbouti link=topic=37031.msg983021#msg983021 date=1257717002]
I'm looking forward to seeing Aquilani playing. We've really missed some quality in the middle of the park. Hopefully he can turn our fortunes round.
[/quote]

A result and a good performance by him, would cause all sorts of well needed ridiculous overreaction and hope. I'd love it.
 
[quote author=leftpeg link=topic=37031.msg983024#msg983024 date=1257717071]
[quote author=Sheik Yerbouti link=topic=37031.msg983021#msg983021 date=1257717002]
I'm looking forward to seeing Aquilani playing. We've really missed some quality in the middle of the park. Hopefully he can turn our fortunes round.
[/quote]

Haven't you heard? He's going to win us the league.
[/quote]

Yay
 
It's all fair and well being objective, and talking about 'bedding-in' time for young Aquilani, but seriously - he's been watching on for long enough nwo, he's aware of the pressure we're under, and if he doesn't come up with some sort of match-saving hat-trick tomorrow night then I for one will lose all objectivity.

You've got your 20 mins Alberto, fucking prove yourself.
 
[quote author=Ryan link=topic=37031.msg983069#msg983069 date=1257719297]
It's all fair and well being objective, and talking about 'bedding-in' time for young Aquilani, but seriously - he's been watching on for long enough nwo, he's aware of the pressure we're under, and if he doesn't come up with some sort of match-saving hat-trick tomorrow night then I for one will lose all objectivity.

You've got your 20 mins Alberto, fucking prove yourself.
[/quote]

Don't worry, in 20 minutes he'll get 4
 
[quote author=DHSC link=topic=37031.msg983407#msg983407 date=1257735648]
He better score 4, else I will be shouting, "Rafa out!".
[/quote]

Ahh... for me he must score a hat trick, assist 3 more, ping the ball 50 yards with pin point accuracy and not not break his leg. Otherwise Rafa's head on the platter!
 
I just hope that Aqualani gets at least a 30 minute run out. Now is the time for the lads to step up and start delivering. I want 3 the points!
 
[quote author=Y1 link=topic=37031.msg983423#msg983423 date=1257743710]
[quote author=DHSC link=topic=37031.msg983407#msg983407 date=1257735648]
He better score 4, else I will be shouting, "Rafa out!".
[/quote]

Ahh... for me he must score a hat trick, assist 3 more, ping the ball 50 yards with pin point accuracy and not not break his leg. Otherwise Rafa's head on the platter!
[/quote]

I'll still shout 'Rafa out!' because he didn't score 4. :p
 
[quote author=DHSC link=topic=37031.msg983438#msg983438 date=1257745827]
[quote author=Y1 link=topic=37031.msg983423#msg983423 date=1257743710]
[quote author=DHSC link=topic=37031.msg983407#msg983407 date=1257735648]
He better score 4, else I will be shouting, "Rafa out!".
[/quote]

Ahh... for me he must score a hat trick, assist 3 more, ping the ball 50 yards with pin point accuracy and not not break his leg. Otherwise Rafa's head on the platter!
[/quote]

I'll still shout 'Rafa out!' because he didn't score 4. :p
[/quote]

No way, Rafa will take him out after scoring his hat trick just like he did with Torres! So better shout 'Rafa' out now.... :laugh:
 
[quote author=Y1 link=topic=37031.msg983453#msg983453 date=1257748388]
[quote author=DHSC link=topic=37031.msg983438#msg983438 date=1257745827]
[quote author=Y1 link=topic=37031.msg983423#msg983423 date=1257743710]
[quote author=DHSC link=topic=37031.msg983407#msg983407 date=1257735648]
He better score 4, else I will be shouting, "Rafa out!".
[/quote]

Ahh... for me he must score a hat trick, assist 3 more, ping the ball 50 yards with pin point accuracy and not not break his leg. Otherwise Rafa's head on the platter!
[/quote]

I'll still shout 'Rafa out!' because he didn't score 4. :p
[/quote]

No way, Rafa will take him out after scoring his hat trick just like he dai with Torres! So better shout 'Rafa' out now.... :laugh:
[/quote]

Later I get banned for saying that. ;)
 
[quote author=DHSC link=topic=37031.msg983455#msg983455 date=1257748602]
[quote author=Y1 link=topic=37031.msg983453#msg983453 date=1257748388]
[quote author=DHSC link=topic=37031.msg983438#msg983438 date=1257745827]
[quote author=Y1 link=topic=37031.msg983423#msg983423 date=1257743710]
[quote author=DHSC link=topic=37031.msg983407#msg983407 date=1257735648]
He better score 4, else I will be shouting, "Rafa out!".
[/quote]

Ahh... for me he must score a hat trick, assist 3 more, ping the ball 50 yards with pin point accuracy and not not break his leg. Otherwise Rafa's head on the platter!
[/quote]

I'll still shout 'Rafa out!' because he didn't score 4. :p
[/quote]

No way, Rafa will take him out after scoring his hat trick just like he did with Torres! So better shout 'Rafa' out now.... :laugh:
[/quote]

Later I get banned for saying that. ;)
[/quote]

If Glock & Rage is still around for saying that week in week out, no way will you be banned.
Just do it lah.
 
[quote author=Sheik Yerbouti link=topic=37031.msg983021#msg983021 date=1257717002]
I'm looking forward to seeing Aquilani playing. We've really missed some quality in the middle of the park. Hopefully he can turn our fortunes round.
[/quote]

Has someone cracked Liam's account? Positive in the FF and arsey in GC? This is not the Sheikh I know.....
 
Good honest words there from Rafa, I wonder how much of that was aimed at Whelan?

Anyway, can't wait to see Aquilani.
 
[quote author=mark1975 link=topic=37031.msg983465#msg983465 date=1257753955]
Good honest words there from Rafa, I wonder how much of that was aimed at Whelan?

Anyway, can't wait to see Aquilani.
[/quote]

The second guessing injuries stuff is such illogical flailing. It's good to hear him come out and say it.

I can understand stupid pundits generating type from it, and other supporters, but that's one of the things over the last couple weeks that has been really grating on me on here, it's not even a matter of giving the benefit of the doubt, it's just realizing the limits of what we are capable of passing any reasonable judgment on.

It isn't as if there isn't enough ground for reasonable criticism without venturing into complete speculation.
 
[quote author=mark1975 link=topic=37031.msg983522#msg983522 date=1257759581]
Is he left footed? If he is, he's got one fucking sweet right peg too.
[/quote]I think hes right footed mate.
 
Before you get too carried away. His last 4 season stats for Serie A/Europe:

Season Starts/Sub Goals/Assists Shots off/on target
2008/9 10-8 2-1 34-13
2007/8 15-11 3-0 57-14
2006/7 13-5 1-1 23-4
2005/6 26-6 4-/
 
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