Source: Liverpool_Echo
Liverpool FC boss Rafa Benitez assures Alberto Aquilani over lack of action
Alberto Aquilani 300[LNB]RAFA BENITEZ today moved to defuse the mystery surrounding Alberto Aquilani's prolonged absence from Liverpool's starting line-up - saying he won't risk players who are not fully fit.[LNB]The Italian midfielder has been limited to just 21 minutes of action since joining the Reds in a £17m deal from Roma in August due to a major ankle problem.[LNB]Aquilani, though, has been a constant figure on the bench in the past month yet, much to the curiosity of supporters, Benitez has not given him any significant time on the pitch.[LNB]It has left many wondering if Aquilani will get his first start this side of Christmas but Benitez insists there is nothing sinister behind his lack of involvement.[LNB]Quite simply, the manager has explained that, so tight have some recent games been, it would have been a gamble to pitch an unfit player into battle with the stakes so high.[LNB]'It's more simple than people think,' said Benitez. 'He has been out for longer than we expected and, because he has been injured during the summer, he couldn't train properly.[LNB]'Now it is much better and it is a case of improving his match fitness. We want to play him and we thought we might have been able to do that with the reserves at Wigan.[LNB]'That was called off (last week) but we had some games at Melwood and he played 45 minutes against our reserves last week. We are trying to improve him as quick as we can.
