Topic: Alberto Aquilani - good luck to the lad

[Number 7]

Is it safe to go back in the water yet?

Hopefully we can just discuss his merits as a football player.

I thought he played reasonably well yesterday. Showed some good touches, always looking for the pass, and 33 of 34 passes completed.

EDIT: http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/19043308

Alberto Aquilani: Liverpool accept offer from Fiorentina


Liverpool have accepted an undisclosed offer from Fiorentina for Italian midfielder Alberto Aquilani.

The 28-year-old has flown to Italy from the Reds' pre-season tour of the United States to complete his move.

Liverpool are likely to step up their attempts to sign Swansea's Joe Allen if the deal proceeds as expected.

Aquilani has failed to settle at Anfield since signing in 2009 for Ģ20m from Roma and has been on loan for the last two seasons.

His stints at AC Milan last term and Juventus in the 2010-11 season mean he did not play for former Reds' managers Kenny Dalglish and only made two appearances for Roy Hodgson.

And despite having two years left on his contract and completing pre-season under new boss Brendan Rodgers, it appears that his time at Liverpool is coming to a conclusion.

Rafael Benitez brought Aquilani to Anfield as a replacement for Xabi Alonso, but he struggled with injury and made 26 appearances in his first season.

[Discipline]

I'll take at a guess of 3 pages.

He's a class player, and will definitely help our team. Really hoping he stays as I was not only upset when he was loaned out to Juventus, but to A.C Milan also. He's arguably our best midfielder behind Lucas and is the perfect 1-2 touch player. 

[shizzledizzle]

He has a great touch on the ball and has vision, no doubt he can be very useful to us ,to say the least, but the only question is if he will come back from this pre season wanting to stay or not...

Everybody can see that he knows how to play and if he hits form he can be one of the top midfielders in the league... it seems like his relationship with Lucas will benefit the team.. anyway I think he will have a good season..

[stardorman]

Was nice and neat last night.. everything i kinda expected, its obvious he'll fit the tika taka style
easily.. It all rests on whether he can get the head down, settle in the country and actually fully
commit himself to the club. The signing of Borini may help all that.

He would be like a World class signing if he does commit.

[The G in Gerrard]

Did well enough yesterday. Made himself available for ball all the time and got into the box when possible (which was novel idea). He did well last pre season though so not sure if it'll make any difference.

[jimmyjr86]

Always has a great pre season. Main problem looks like keeping him happy here. Borini coming may help him settle. Has every attribute Rodgers wants in a player. Joy to watch him ib a red shirt. oozes class

[Discipline]

Did well enough yesterday. Made himself available for ball all the time and got into the box when possible (which was novel idea). He did well last pre season though so not sure if it'll make any difference.

He was told from Commolli that he'd be a pure back-up to Gerrard - he now has a chance to fight and prove that he's a first team player under Rodgers.

[scatman]

Did alright yesterday, nothing like the two pre seasons before when he was the star. Hopefully doesn't get shipped out now haha

[LondonRedMan]

I thought he was very deep, would have liked to have seen him in more advanced positions. However he did look reassured on the ball and did possess that ability of having time on the ball as all the top-notch players seem to have.  Will be interesting to see how he fares against his former club:)

[The G in Gerrard]

He was told from Commolli that he'd be a pure back-up to Gerrard - he now has a chance to fight and prove that he's a first team player under Rodgers.

I'd deffo keep him rather than some of the other midfielders we have.

[Hazell]

I'll take at a guess of 3 pages.

He's a class player, and will definitely help our team. Really hoping he stays as I was not only upset when he was loaned out to Juventus, but to A.C Milan also. He's arguably our best midfielder behind Lucas and is the perfect 1-2 touch player. 

Think he could flourish if given a chance here, particularly under Rodgers. Really hope he is given the opportunity this season.

[TSC]

He would be like a World class signing if he does commit.

Let's try and keep it real and not go into the realms of hyperbole as usually happens on here re Aquilani.  Not suggesting he's nowt to add obviously.  But neither Juve or AC wanted him for a modest fee and he never got a sniff of a place in an average Italian squad in the Euro's.

[Discipline]

I'd deffo keep him rather than some of the other midfielders we have.

Don't disaagree with you there.

A midfield trio of Gerrard, Aquilani and Lucas will be immense. They all compliment each other, and will no doubt take the burden off each other trying to carry the team like last season when X player was out and Y needed to step up.

[Aido LFC]

Let's try and keep it real and not go into the realms of hyperbole as usually happens on here re Aquilani.  Not suggesting he's nowt to add obviously.  But neither Juve or AC wanted him for a modest fee and he never got a sniff of a place in an average Italian squad in the Euro's.

What just because he wasn't signed by either of the 2 top teams in Serie A and didn't make the squad of the runners up at the Euro's, he's not good enough for us?

[The G in Gerrard]

But neither Juve or AC wanted him for a modest fee and he never got a sniff of a place in an average Italian squad in the Euro's.

The Italian midfield was probably their strongest point though?

[Discipline]

Let's try and keep it real and not go into the realms of hyperbole as usually happens on here re Aquilani.  Not suggesting he's nowt to add obviously.  But neither Juve or AC wanted him for a modest fee and he never got a sniff of a place in an average Italian squad in the Euro's.

Don't think he's "world class", but Juve didn't want him as they installed a new manager and A.C are in debt so went with the cheaper and similiar player in Montolivo.

[Red Crown]

I always thought he worked best for us when we had a lot of movement around us, you can see in some of his 'laissez-faire' passes where it seems he sells people 'short', it's because he is expecting them to move around him.  He is a pass and move player, and I think when our midfield get used to that, they'll get used to moving, he will 'knit' players in and around him.

Him, Gerrard, Kuyt, Maxi and Suarez would have been a wonderful thing to see.

[Discipline]

What just because he wasn't signed by either of the 2 top teams in Serie A and didn't make the squad of the runners up at the Euro's, he's not good enough for us?

Don't think he meant that - more the fact that he's not "world class"

[Phil_88]

hope rodgers has a word with him and keeps him, ship out adam, spearing and maybe cole

[Discipline]

I always thought he worked best for us when we had a lot of movement around us, you can see in some of his 'laissez-faire' passes where it seems he sells people 'short', it's because he is expecting them to move around him.  He is a pass and move player, and I think when our midfield get used to that, they'll get used to moving, he will 'knit' players in and around him.

Him, Gerrard, Kuyt, Maxi and Suarez would have been a wonderful thing to see.

Forgot Lucas.

[Red Crown]

Forgot Lucas.

I consider Lucas to be the base we build on (with Agger and Skrtel), or the safety blanket that allows these precious little starlets in attack to play with verve, but yes, I did omit him, mea culpa!

[Number 7]

Think he could flourish if given a chance here, particularly under Rodgers. Really hope he is given the opportunity this season.

He's definitely got the attributes to succeed under a Rodgers team. There are lot of midfielders vying for only a few places, so it will come down to who Rodgers thinks is best equipped in his system. Apart from the obvious scenario of whether he stays or not. We do need depth in midfield though this season, with the Europa league.

[Aido LFC]

Don't think he meant that - more the fact that he's not "world class"

ok 

[Torpedo Tommy]

I'm going for 2 pages.

What's been said time and again still stands. His ability as a footballer ain't in question.

[DanA]

I think a midfield of Aquilani, Gerrard & Lucas falls short of Real Madrid & Barcelona but competitive with just about any team in the world.

[TSC]

Don't think he meant that - more the fact that he's not "world class"

Yep exactly.  He may do a job for us, but was merely pointing out that sometimes on here he's made out to be some sort of cross between Zidane and Platini.  If he was 'world class' he'd have been snapped up for a huge sum long ago and would be a playmaker in the centre of the Italian national team.

[Hazell]

He's definitely got the attributes to succeed under a Rodgers team. There are lot of midfielders vying for only a few places, so it will come down to who Rodgers thinks is best equipped in his system. Apart from the obvious scenario of whether he stays or not. We do need depth in midfield though this season, with the Europa league.

Still think we need another Lucas type player or at least cover for him. If we get that and keep Aquilani, we'll have a decent midfield next season, and that's without the addition of possibly Allen.

[steveeastend]

Let's try and keep it real and not go into the realms of hyperbole as usually happens on here re Aquilani.  Not suggesting he's nowt to add obviously.  But neither Juve or AC wanted him for a modest fee and he never got a sniff of a place in an average Italian squad in the Euro's.

Donīt disagree in general but the Italian squad was far from average. Just because the players arenīt well know doesnīt mean there wasnīt obviously more quality than "average" around. Otherwise they wouldnīt have made it to the final and beat the glorious and overhyped germans. The italian technical and tactical football school is still top level and way ahead of the english. Just saying...

And I donīt think that anyone around here would deny that he isnīt from the very top level. Itīs just that in comparison to the likes of Adam, Downing and Henderson, our last years summer signings, itīs pretty wrong to say Aquilani isnīt good enough when having Adam around as a regular. Doesnīt make sense from a pure football point of view. Why people still question his ability to contribute is a little strange considering the quality of our squad at the moment.

[Bjinxi]

Well always liked him and hope he stays.

At the moment he is one of the few players that have vision and creativity. Besides Gerrard, we dont really have that midfield player. Therefore if we dont get someone who is an upgrade on Aqua, we should really keep him. Hope he is in Rodgers plans and Doni and Borini help him settle.

As I said for me he offers more than Adam/Downing and Cole. So I would be more hapy if they would leave instead of Aqua

[Red Crown]

Still think we need another Lucas type player or at least cover for him. If we get that and keep Aquilani, we'll have a decent midfield next season, and that's without the addition of possibly Allen.

We defo need cover for Lucas, I think Aquilani played as part of a 2 in a 4-2-3-1 for Juve, and he's a good footballer but he's not what Lucas is to us prior to injury and what we wish him to be again.

[Discipline]

If Allen comes in, think Henderson and Allen can both be back-ups to Lucas if needed - and also play next to him. Rodgers DM role isn't the same at Kenny's.

[rafathegaffa83]

Thought he did pretty well last night in a bit of a deeper role. His pressing was a bit lax, as was his approach in the warm-ups as he did a few of the exercises in a bit of a half-arsed manner. Quality player though. Hope he stays.

[Melbred]

Aquilani had 97% pass completion apparently. 33/34 passes completed.

[Chalky Boots]

If Allen comes in, think Henderson and Allen can both be back-ups to Lucas if needed - and also play next to him. Rodgers DM role isn't the same at Kenny's.

It's different, although certainly when Lucas was fit there were similarities; certainly when the CB's would split and Lucas would collect off Reina.

Anyway, I think if we can add Allen (and shift Adam:IMO before someone tries debating that) then between Lucas,Aquilani,Gerrard and then Henderson,Allen,Shelvey with Spearing as an auxiliary then I think our midfield will finally have some strength in depth going into the new season. Would certainly say it compares favourably to both Manchester clubs (although both play 2) as far as depth goes.

Thought he was tidy yesterday, used the ball well and was open for passes,even though Wisdom did ignore him. One time I wasn't happy was when he booted it when he had enough time to lay it off despite being pressured.

[Azi]

Let's try and keep it real and not go into the realms of hyperbole as usually happens on here re Aquilani.  Not suggesting he's nowt to add obviously.  But neither Juve or AC wanted him for a modest fee and he never got a sniff of a place in an average Italian squad in the Euro's.

neither did juve or arsenal want xabi alonso for a modest fee either 

[Discipline]

neither did juve or arsenal want xabi alonso for a modest fee either 

Juve bought Poulsen instead.

Then ended up here. 

[Zeb]

neither did juve or arsenal want xabi alonso for a modest fee either 

They didn't get a year to play him first, so it's a bit of a flawed comparison.

[lorenzo23]

Did ok didn't really stand out like last season pre season, opening minutes seem to me Adam/Spearing was only passing the ball to them self. Once AA did get into the game linked up well down the left Dani. Always found him self in space think he perform much better when have players like Suso/lucas/gerrard that be looking to pass and move. Spearing and Adam are too static. But overall AA was same as rest  just did a job about it.

[Matt8Pie]

I'd like to see him played in the other games with better players in the midfield with him. Spearing and Adam are very slow players and the tempo of their passing is very slow wheres Aquilani is better playing with a high tempo. Put him in midfield with Gerrard next week and Lucas, Shelvey or Henderson and the performance from him will be even better.

I just hope we keep him this season.

[Brentieke]

We've got nothing to lose by keeping him here next season. Absolutely nothing.

Its quite evident that we wont be able to ship him out for a transfer fee. Loaning him out again makes no sense considering the lack of creativity in the side.