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Shortly after Alberto Aquilani first arrived in England, a banner was unfurled on the Kop depicting Liverpool’s newest signing as the Russell Crowe character from the movie Gladiator along with the films’ tag-line ‘A Hero Will Rise’. After two seasons away on loan, during which Serie A’s two biggest clubs have seemingly reneged on the chance to sign him permanently, there is once again the distinct possibility that the Italian will be given an opportunity to fulfil that hasty prophecy made by the Anfield faithful almost three years ago.
Signed by Rafael Benitez for £20million to replace Xabi Alonso, Aquilani still has two years remaining on his contract, and Kenny Dalglish has already said he would “have him back, no problem” should a transfer to Milan fail to be completed. His loan move to San Siro giants AC Milan came with a clause that made a permanent deal compulsory once he played 25 times for the Rossoneri but, with substitute appearances counting only as a half game, he is stuck on a total of 23 and a half following his substitute appearance in the win at Siena.
While the sword and sandals of that 2009 banner may have been stretching the point, the player, who will turn 28 shortly after this season ends, has all the tools necessary to be a success in the Premier League, and it is not difficult to argue he is both more productive and has far greater pedigree than any of the central midfielders who have played a part in yet another disappointing league campaign for Liverpool.
He compares favourably with any of them in terms of sheer statistics: his six assists matched only by Charlie Adam with Steven Gerrard making just two while Jordan Henderson, Jay Spearing and Jonjo Shelvey have just one between them. He has completed 86.7% of his passes this term, which places him ahead of Liverpool’s best midfielder Spearing (85.5%) who in turn leads Henderson (83.2%), Gerrard (83.1%), Shelvey (80.5%) and Adam (79.5%) and while he has scored just one league goal, of the current squad, only Gerrard and Adam have netted more.
Spearing (2.8) is also the only midfielder with a better tackles per game rate than Aquilani (2.2), who drastically improved his defensive work under Gigi Delneri during his year-long loan at Juventus, which ended when Liverpool refused to lower the £12million asking price and Juve instead picked up Andrea Pirlo on a free transfer.
It must be remembered that the time he has already spent in the red of Liverpool was not the disaster it is often portrayed as being and in total he started 13 games, which saw the team win nine, draw one and lose just three. Opta showed his assist rate in the Premier League – one every 136 minutes played – to be the best of any player among Europe’s top five leagues that campaign as his six assists were more than all but one of his team-mates.
Add in his two goals from 11 shots on target (including a further two shots off the woodwork) and we begin to see the faults in the common consensus. It is also a view shared by former Liverpool player John Arne Riise – who played with Aquilani in the Italian capital – when he spoke to the Daily Telegraph shortly after his initial move to England, telling them: ”He likes to have the ball at his feet but not because he likes to dribble, he just wants to keep the team moving. He never stands still and is always on the run. He certainly runs more than Xabi [Alonso] and is probably more dangerous in terms of getting in the box and trying to score goals. Liverpool will be getting a very good player.”
That appears to be exactly what Liverpool lack in midfield this season and, while Milan may yet activate their compulsory purchase or look to strike another deal, should they fail to do so then Liverpool – despite their new owners and manager – could decide to renew their faith in the Italian. By removing further doubts over his future and giving him a settled berth in the team – perhaps alongside the recovering Lucas Levia, a move which in turn would allow Steven Gerrard to be played in a freer role – seems an almost perfect fit. Alberto Aquilani could well yet be the hero Liverpool have spent three years waiting to arise.
30APR
Liverpool crying out for the talents of unwanted Aquilaniby Adam Digby
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Shortly after Alberto Aquilani first arrived in England, a banner was unfurled on the Kop depicting Liverpool’s newest signing as the Russell Crowe character from the movie Gladiator along with the films’ tag-line ‘A Hero Will Rise’. After two seasons away on loan, during which Serie A’s two biggest clubs have seemingly reneged on the chance to sign him permanently, there is once again the distinct possibility that the Italian will be given an opportunity to fulfil that hasty prophecy made by the Anfield faithful almost three years ago.
Signed by Rafael Benitez for £20million to replace Xabi Alonso, Aquilani still has two years remaining on his contract, and Kenny Dalglish has already said he would “have him back, no problem” should a transfer to Milan fail to be completed. His loan move to San Siro giants AC Milan came with a clause that made a permanent deal compulsory once he played 25 times for the Rossoneri but, with substitute appearances counting only as a half game, he is stuck on a total of 23 and a half following his substitute appearance in the win at Siena.
While the sword and sandals of that 2009 banner may have been stretching the point, the player, who will turn 28 shortly after this season ends, has all the tools necessary to be a success in the Premier League, and it is not difficult to argue he is both more productive and has far greater pedigree than any of the central midfielders who have played a part in yet another disappointing league campaign for Liverpool.
He compares favourably with any of them in terms of sheer statistics: his six assists matched only by Charlie Adam with Steven Gerrard making just two while Jordan Henderson, Jay Spearing and Jonjo Shelvey have just one between them. He has completed 86.7% of his passes this term, which places him ahead of Liverpool’s best midfielder Spearing (85.5%) who in turn leads Henderson (83.2%), Gerrard (83.1%), Shelvey (80.5%) and Adam (79.5%) and while he has scored just one league goal, of the current squad, only Gerrard and Adam have netted more.
Spearing (2.8) is also the only midfielder with a better tackles per game rate than Aquilani (2.2), who drastically improved his defensive work under Gigi Delneri during his year-long loan at Juventus, which ended when Liverpool refused to lower the £12million asking price and Juve instead picked up Andrea Pirlo on a free transfer.
It must be remembered that the time he has already spent in the red of Liverpool was not the disaster it is often portrayed as being and in total he started 13 games, which saw the team win nine, draw one and lose just three. Opta showed his assist rate in the Premier League – one every 136 minutes played – to be the best of any player among Europe’s top five leagues that campaign as his six assists were more than all but one of his team-mates.
Add in his two goals from 11 shots on target (including a further two shots off the woodwork) and we begin to see the faults in the common consensus. It is also a view shared by former Liverpool player John Arne Riise – who played with Aquilani in the Italian capital – when he spoke to the Daily Telegraph shortly after his initial move to England, telling them: ”He likes to have the ball at his feet but not because he likes to dribble, he just wants to keep the team moving. He never stands still and is always on the run. He certainly runs more than Xabi [Alonso] and is probably more dangerous in terms of getting in the box and trying to score goals. Liverpool will be getting a very good player.”
That appears to be exactly what Liverpool lack in midfield this season and, while Milan may yet activate their compulsory purchase or look to strike another deal, should they fail to do so then Liverpool – despite their new owners and manager – could decide to renew their faith in the Italian. By removing further doubts over his future and giving him a settled berth in the team – perhaps alongside the recovering Lucas Levia, a move which in turn would allow Steven Gerrard to be played in a freer role – seems an almost perfect fit. Alberto Aquilani could well yet be the hero Liverpool have spent three years waiting to arise.