Liverpool FC: Poster boy Alberto Aquilani’s debut at Arsenal is box-office attraction

28 October 2009 00:00
LIVERPOOL supporters have a rich tradition for producing witty banners but, in recent years, they have become rather more profound in one corner of Anfield.[LNB]Robbie Fowler, Fernando Torres, Djibril Cisse and Dirk Kuyt, to name a few, have all seen images of themselves at the centre of huge flags with deep meanings and on Sunday, the latest offering was unfurled in the part of the stadium where Centenary Stand meets Kop.[LNB]Fluttering in the breeze was a picture that is synonymous with Russell Crowe in the hit movie Gladiator, a soldier kitted out in full body armour with the top tier of Rome's Colosseum clearly visible in a dusky background.[LNB]This particular banner, however, sees Crowe replaced by Alberto Aquilani with the simple, but powerful, declaration alongside it that 'A hero will rise' - tonight Liverpool's £17m midfielder will get his first opportunity to show a wide audience he can become box office in a Red shirt.[LNB]Having shown great reserves of patience and impressive levels of determination in his battle to overcome ankle surgery, Aquilani will pull on a Liverpool shirt for the first time since completing his move from Roma on August 7 at the Emirates Stadium.[LNB]The Carling Cup tie with Arsenal has long been in Rafa Benitez's thoughts as a suitable starting point for the man who was known in Rome as 'Il Principino' - the Little Prince - and he will get some minutes on the pitch this evening.[LNB]A 15-minute run out for the reserves at Prenton Park last Wednesday has enabled Aquilani to blow off some cobwebs, and now the stage is set for one of the most eagerly-awaited debuts in the club's recent history; all eyes are fixed, then, to see if this 'hero' can rise to the challenge.[LNB]'Alberto will be with us,' Benitez confirmed. 'He is improving his fitness, so he's in the squad. He cannot start at this moment but maybe, if it's possible, we will try to use him. We can see in every training session he has quality, game intelligence and good movements.

Source: Liverpool_Echo