Topic: Aquilani

[The Bill Hicks Appreciation Society]

If you are talkin about his first season. Then yes, he was fit. But there are 2 reasons imo why he wasn't.

1. He continually got re-injured at Roma as they played him as soon as he was deemed fit. Rafa didn't want to take that chance. So quite rightly allowed him plenty of recovery time.
2. Considering his contract was based on fixed fee's per season & he was carrying an injury, there may have been a clause built into the contract regarding the amount of time he plays. ie: he doesn't play 20 games, the full fee is not paid. H&G/Purslow would have pushed that on Rafa, rather than Rafa choosing to do so.

and then there's Brukner

[conman]

and then there's Brukner

injury wise, it was a good choice not to play him too often.

[Il Capitano]

and so it begins.

My prediction is that AA will do pre-season with us before going out on loan to another Italian club. Just a wild stab in the dark.

It'll sure be fun finishing in eighth place again, then.

[JackWard33]

It'll sure be fun finishing in eighth place again, then.

You've got to be kidding - I mean I know exaggeration is used for debate but you actually think the difference between us finishing 8th or not is a player whose never been a fundamental part of our first team (or indeed anyones first team for some time now)...you might want to take a step back from that one

[Sangria]

You've got to be kidding - I mean I know exaggeration is used for debate but you actually think the difference between us finishing 8th or not is a player whose never been a fundamental part of our first team (or indeed anyones first team for some time now)...you might want to take a step back from that one

Aquilani's not fundamental to our team. Someone who can direct the midfield is fundamental to our team though, and once Lucas was gone, we had noone. So having Aquilani as someone else who can do that job will certainly help.

[Il Capitano]

You've got to be kidding - I mean I know exaggeration is used for debate but you actually think the difference between us finishing 8th or not is a player whose never been a fundamental part of our first team (or indeed anyones first team for some time now)...you might want to take a step back from that one

It was hyperbole, obvious exaggeration, to make the point that these sort of poor decisions are what keep setting the club back further and further every year. Let's hope the appointment of Rodgers signals a new era away from the truly awful decisions made by the club that have characterised the last three years.

[rocco]

Guessing by Rodgers comments on Alberto I can see him been sold of a buyer is found  suggesting he may not be suited to the premierleague but what a top player he is , very clever.

[SamiSamiHyypia]

He clearly has the technique and intelligence to be part of a Rodgers team. Only thing I'm not sure about is whether he has the mentality to close and chase for 90mins in a very organised and drilled way.

That's not a clichéd 'wet night at the Brittania' observation; it's a genuine question and one that needs to be asked of all of our players bar Lucas, Reina and Agger (all of whom I'd say were born for his type of play.)

[keyo]

Guessing by Rodgers comments on Alberto I can see him been sold of a buyer is found  suggesting he may not be suited to the premierleague but what a top player he is , very clever.

agree, seems to be positiive about abilities but paving way for move with comments about not settling, may have been comment on previous and will change once he speaks to aquilani, door always open an' all that, but seemed prepatory for the exit more than anything

[Zeb]

2. Considering his contract was based on fixed fee's per season & he was carrying an injury, there may have been a clause built into the contract regarding the amount of time he plays. ie: he doesn't play 20 games, the full fee is not paid. H&G/Purslow would have pushed that on Rafa, rather than Rafa choosing to do so.

If you mean the add-ons for playing, they were peanuts. 250k Euros for every 35 appearances up to 140 appearances. He's made 28 appearances in a Liverpool shirt in any case - 2 of them after Rafa was sacked. We were paying 20m Euros for him whether he played 1 game or 500.

[7777]

My prediction is that AA will do pre-season with us before going out on loan to another Italian club. Just a wild stab in the dark.

Radical

[spider-neil]

If his wife and kid remain in Italy I don't see how this is going to work out.

[7777]

If his wife and kid remain in Italy I don't see how this is going to work out.

Maybe they won't? Maybe they will realise Milan and Juventus didn't ultimately want him enough and the Italian squad swerved him so they will give it another crack?!

[spider-neil]

Maybe they won't? Maybe they will realise Milan and Juventus didn't ultimately want him enough and the Italian squad swerved him so they will give it another crack?!

I hope he stays. Linking the midfield and attack is skill that shouldn't be underestimated and when I look at our squad Aquilani strikes me as the player who would be best at it, even better than Meireles if Meireles were still here.

[Tepid water]

Maybe they won't? Maybe they will realise Milan and Juventus didn't ultimately want him enough and the Italian squad swerved him so they will give it another crack?!

Possible, but probably not the most likely scenario.

[No666]

He's said the priority for him is getting some playing time. I think he knows he can't afford to be dicked around for another year. Seeing your promising career disintegrate should guarantee a year's hard graft in L4 for him and a year's sacrifice of sun and seeing mum for the wag. I hope neither the club nor the player would see another loan deal as the way forward.

[Kovai Red]

A gut feeling says that, he will play for us in the upcoming season

[MassDriver]

I think all of us can agree that he would vastly improve our team and has all the attributes needed to play in a Brendan Rodgers team. He would clearly be very useful in enhancing the cohesiveness and functionality of our midfield with his passing ability , creativity and vision.

The only bone of contention is whether he is willing to fight it out here away from the comforts of his native country. I guess we'll find out soon enough.

[DanA]

A gut feeling says that, he will play for us in the upcoming season

I've got the same feeling. I really think he'd thrive under Rodgers and would do well to stay if he's serious about his ambitions of being in the Italian nation team. 

[Another Red]

Give me a yell when he has a squad number. I won't waste my breath participating in these pointless debates about him in the meantime. 

[smj86]

He clearly has the technique and intelligence to be part of a Rodgers team. Only thing I'm not sure about is whether he has the mentality to close and chase for 90mins in a very organised and drilled way.

That's not a clichéd 'wet night at the Brittania' observation; it's a genuine question and one that needs to be asked of all of our players bar Lucas, Reina and Agger (all of whom I'd say were born for his type of play.)

Actually Rodgers stressed that he doesn't want his players running after the ball like madmen but rather have the intelligence to know when to press in their allocated zones. He also stressed that by having so much possession his plays can "rest" and gather themselves again. Rodgers main attribute in a player is intelligence and Aquillani has plenty of that! Only issue seems to be whether he wants to play for Liverpool and not whether he fits the system

[Drake31]

Galliani confirms Milan wont be signing Aquilani.

[J_Kopite]

Galliani confirms Milan wont be signing Aquilani.

[scouse29]

Galliani confirms Milan wont be signing Aquilani.

They probably won't and never had any intention of doing so. AA is toxic debt.

[El_Pistolero]

Galliani confirms Milan wont be signing Aquilani.

I reckon he's gonig to Inter next, we need to get a RAWK Aquilani sweepstake on the go.

[ChaChaMooMoo]

Galliani confirms Milan wont be signing Aquilani.

Not surprised. They want someone better, less aged, less injury prone and for a lower cost. Something that Aquilani isnt. And to be honest, in certain ways, I would echo the sentiment.

There are better replacements for much less wage. Aquilani has 1 year left so has Cole. Together they are on a 170k (90k & 80k) pounds a week. It takes a simple logic that signing their younger replacements is better for LFC and better business in terms of longevity and quality.

[scouse29]

I reckon he's gonig to Inter next, we need to get a RAWK Aquilani sweepstake on the go.

Can I have an Italian club, 12 month loan deal with a view to a permanent deal if he plays 30+ games?

[ChaChaMooMoo]

Can I have an Italian club, 12 month loan deal with a view to a permanent deal if he plays 30+ games?

Well no need. Coz after a 12 month loan deal, you are already a free agent.

[harleydanger]

I'll take a French club for 20 quid

[scouse29]

Well no need. Coz after a 12 month loan deal, you are already a free agent.

He has two years left of his contract.

[Matt8Pie]

Please, for fuck sake, keep him for a season.

[The Bill Hicks Appreciation Society]

Aquilani has 1 year left so has Cole. Together they are on a 170k (90k & 80k) pounds a week. It takes a simple logic that signing their younger replacements is better for LFC and better business in terms of longevity and quality.

Both 2 years left according to this

http://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/en/alberto-aquilani/profil/spieler_5957.html

http://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/en/joe-cole/profil/spieler_3876.html

[Crixus]

If we actually keep him for a season when he is fit and let him play then we'll see how good he is. He was brilliant when he played for us in the back end of the first season and was the only one that looked like a footballer last pre-season, made pre-season somehow enjoyable to watch (rather than just the enjoyment of having football and Liverpool back)

[tubby]

It'll be the same shit again this year.  He'll get some pre-season matches, look pretty settled and play well, everyone will get excited... then he'll get loaned to a team in Serie A.  And then at the end of the season they won't buy him.

[Aleeed#]

He'd thrive under Brendan, but we said the same about him under Kenny this time last year too.

[caspertheghost]

Please, for fuck sake, keep him for a season.

Indeed he has to be kept - the guy would be ideally suited to Rodgers's set up and style.

[Red Genius]

I've completely given up caring about where he'll end up, if he is here at the start of August... great, if not we'll continue as we have done without him for two years.

[The Bill Hicks Appreciation Society]

He'd thrive under Brendan, but we said the same about him under Kenny this time last year too.

Doesn't mean we were wrong, he would have done. Might have been that key to unlocking defences that we needed too.

[dioufythebrave]

most players with real class will fit into any league in the world, and if aquilani played every game for us in the league next season, im confident he would get a minimum of 10 assists, but maybe it be better ship him out if he cant take a two footer from cattermole

if he was forced to stay, i think once he steps out on the pitch, he wont be thinking about mama aquilani's bolognese, it will be to put in the best performance he can, whether its to impress brendan or another italian club.

[buzzing]

We shoudl keep him here for his corner threat alone - Renumber last pre-season