Since his seventeen millions pounds move over the summer, Alberto Aquilani’s return to fitness has been eagerly anticipated by the Anfield faithful. Rafael Benitez has been relentlessly criticised in signing the 25-year-old midfield maestro, with the Italian’s career being blighted by injuries. The ‘little prince’ is a replacement for firm fans favourite Xabi Alonso, who secured a big money move to a new-look, star studded Real Madrid side, not only leaving Reds fans concerned, but also evidently removing a key dimension to Liverpool’s play. Alonso, whose place has temporarily been taken by the much-maligned Lucas Leiva, played in the holding-role protecting the back four, alongside Argentina captain Javier Mascherano. Blessed with the ability to pass a ball of any distance so sweetly, Xabi played a significant part in restricting Liverpool to a mere two Premier League defeats throughout the whole of last season. This campaign they have already been defeated on five occasions. As a player who could spot an inch perfect pass, vital seconds before any opponent, Xabi Alonso was one of the best central midfielders in the Premiership last year. As a replacement, Aquilani has a lot to live up to.
Coveted by Chelsea and Arsenal at the tender age of sixteen, Aquilani decided that Roma was the team he desired to spend his future at. Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger recently admitted he was interested in the classy Italian, though continuous injuries halted his pursuit of the playmaker. Alberto may have been purchased as a replacement for the irreplaceable Xabi Alonso, nonetheless the Italians are quick to point out he simply isn’t the same. Aquilani is a more advanced midfielder, playing more comparably to the Gerrard role rather than the grittiness of defensive midfield. Though his goal ratio fails prove it, Aquilani is more of an attack-minded player, demonstrated by his scissor-kick attempt against Arsenal in the Carling Cup. A man with a tidy touch, fine link-up play and with an eye for a pass, will Rafa play him in Xabi’s position, or will he be tempted by a mouthwatering Barcelona-esque formation of two attacking midfielders, with Gerrard and Aquilani imitating the successful pairing of Xavi and Iniesta? Only time will tell.
Recent history suggests that players who join the Premier League from Serie A do not flourish. Here, the game is quicker and you have less time to think. Andriy Shevchenko’s colossal thirty million pound move ultimately ended in disaster. His journey to Chelsea saw him go down a slippery slope, where he went from being one of the greatest strikers in the world to a baffled and dreadfully bog-standard squad player. Ricardo Quaresma’s move to Chelsea from Inter, thankfully only on loan, was equally fruitless, with the Portuguese winger rotting in the reserves for much of his spell. Closer to home, Andrea Dossena moved to Anfield a couple of years ago with high hopes of the Italian left-back. But the sight of him getting turned inside out by Hull’s Bernard Mendy last season sent shivers down fans’ spines and has seen him relegated to third spot in the left-back position, behind rookie Emiliano Insua and Brazilian Aurelio. Aquilani has to prove his worth and go against recent history, to illustrate that a quality player from Italy really can make it in a more physical and challenging English Premier League.
So, will Aquilani make it at Liverpool? Can he boost Liverpool’s faltering title challenge and shore up that midifield? We don’t know yet. Rafa Benitez’s signings around the twenty million pounds mark have on the whole been astounding, with Fernando Torres, Javier Mascherano and Glen Johnson seemingly successful at Anfield. The Kop will be hoping for much of the same from Aquilani, who currently has the finest opportunity to turn Liverpool’s miserable season around.
By Mushtaq Quraishi
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