AQUILANI `FRUSTRATED`
GERRARD: IT WAS SUPPOSED TO BE OUR YEAR
The father of Alberto Aquilani has revealed that his son is 'frustrated' at his lack of action since joining Liverpool.
The Italian has been fit for over a month but has played just 26 minutes of competitive football for the club.
Rafa Benitez has been keeping Aquilani wrapped in cotton wool despite the team winning only three of their last 11 games.
He will finally start his first game in the dead rubber Champions League clash with Fiorentina on Wednesday night.
"Alberto is available to play," said his father, Claudio. "He has been ready for more than a month. He feels good, the injury has cleared up and he is confident he is at no more risk than any other player of the problem coming back.
"The only way he can get truly fit is to start games. There has been a lot of frustration for him, first at being injured and then at not being chosen to play for so long. He is a player, so of course he does not want to wait to be involved with the team and to start his career in England.
"I do not know why BenÃtez has chosen not to play him, but that is an issue for Alberto. He must convince the coach he has to play."
But Aquilani is settled on Merseyside despite his lack of playing time, with his father saying: "He is really happy in Liverpool, he has settled in really well.
"He's getting to grips with the language and he's always surrounded by friends, family and his fiancée. He likes the city a lot, the culture, the football and the atmosphere at the stadiums. He has been really impressed by the bond the crowd have with the players.
"He has had plenty of time to watch the Premier League, to study how the game is played in England and how it is different from Serie A. In England it is more physical, more frenetic, quicker, and you have less time on the ball. He is confident he can adapt, though."
GERRARD: IT WAS SUPPOSED TO BE OUR YEAR
Liverpool skipper Steven Gerrard admits he is frustrated by the side's failure to challenge for the Premier League title this season.
The Reds are currently languishing in seventh spot 12 points behind leaders Chelsea after an indifferent campaign to date.
Rafa Benitez's men find themselves in a battle to finish in the top four rather than competing for the Premier League crown and Gerrard admits they have failed to live up to expectations this term.
"It's frustrating to be where we are in the league now because this was meant to be the year where we were going to be right up there all the way through," said Gerrard.
"It would mean everything to win it. It's frustrating not to have it already and I've come close on a couple of occasions.
"I will continue to fight for the Premier League from now until I stop playing. Hopefully I can add it to my collection because it would round a fantastic career off.
"It would be extra special if I could do it as captain in the next couple of years. I'm not sure how long I'm going to be captain for - probably another two or three years. If not as captain, then hopefully I can still lift it as a Liverpool player.
"Now, though, it's important for us to try to get back up to the top of the table."
Gerrard, who turns 30 in May, admits time is running out for him if he is to fulfil his dream of winning the title and bringing the championship back to Anfield for the first time since 1990.
"I've been around for 11 years and I'm getting towards the 30 years of age mark now, so I'm running out of time," added Gerrard. "I want to make the most of the next four or five years.
"I've still got many more ambitions and dreams that I want to fulfil before I finish."
Gerrard, who made his 500th appearance for the club against Blackburn at the weekend, admits he does not see himself as a Reds legend despite his Champions League final and FA Cup final heroics.
"I don't think I'm a Liverpool legend," noted Gerrard. "You can only call players legends when they've finished and you look back on their careers and they have been successful or a top player throughout.
"A lot of people give the legendary status out too early for my liking. I don't see myself as a legend - I see the likes of Dalglish, Hansen and Rush as legends.
"They have been there and done it. Hopefully one day I can look back on what I've achieved and can say I'm a part of the legends at this club, but I certainly wouldn't put myself in that bracket now."