Source: Eurosport
Aquilani relief for Benitez
Alberto Aquilani's first appearance in a Liverpool shirt on Tuesday finally gave Rafael Benitez something to be pleased about after a nightmare week that has seen his management at Anfield openly questioned.
Italian midfielder Aquilani was signed for £20million in August, but has been recovering from a knee operation ever since.
With Liverpool in their worst slump for 22 years, Aquilani's arrival on the scene has been desperately needed. On Tuesday night at Tranmere's Prenton Park he came on as a 75th-minute substitute in the reserves' 2-0 win over Sunderland.
He survived unscathed, but he is not being considered for Sunday's Premier League home clash with Manchester United.
Benitez needs a victory in that match to lift the pressure on him, but it is unlikely captain Steven Gerrard will be risked again after a recurrence of his groin injury during Tuesday's Champions League home defeat by Lyon.
Striker Fernando Torres is, however, expected to return against United after a groin injury, and England full-back Glen Johnson has declared himself fit after a similar injury also kept him out against Lyon.
