Source: Team_Talk
Hodgson impressed by Aquilani
iverpool manager Roy Hodgson has challenged midfielder Alberto Aquilani to prove he is worth the money the Anfield giants paid for him.[LNB] Former Reds boss Rafa Benitez shelled out £17million for the Italian playmaker last summer as a replacement for Xabi Alonso, who moved to Real Madrid.[LNB]Aquilani, however, failed to recover from a serious injury all season, with Benitez lacking faith in the player's fitness and often leaving him on the bench.[LNB]The appointment of Hodgson, however, has seen a new opportunity for the 26-year-old to make an impression and show his fitness, and the new Reds boss admits he has been impressed with what he has seen so far.[LNB]"We have done a lot of tactical work with our fitness people but we've only really scratched the surface," said Hodgson.[LNB]"Alberto has come out of it very well, as has Lucas, who is the only player who can really say he is a Liverpool first-team regular.[LNB]"But Alberto has got to use this pre-season to put all his fitness problems behind him. What I have seen in the last three weeks working with him has been encouraging and he's working well."
