Source: Liverpool_Echo
Liverpool FC pre-season special: Patience a virtue over Alberto Aquilani
FANS will have to be patient before they get their first glimpse of Alberto Aquilani - but Rafa Benitez believes the classy midfielder will be worth the wait.
The 25-year-old Italian international completed his £20million move from Roma last week after passing a medical and agreeing a five-year contract.
The deal for Aquilani was confirmed just hours after Xabi Alonso had made his £30million switch to Real Madrd.
Aquilani will miss the start of the season as he is still recovering from ankle surgery he underwent back in May.
He is unlikely to make his Reds debut before October but Benitez is confident he will make up for lost time.
'Alberto is a player with the quality we are looking for,' he said.
'He can play a little bit higher than Javier Mascherano - maybe between him and Steven Gerrard. He has good passing - the final ball is good - and he works.
'If he can settle down properly in England he can be a very good addition. Alberto has a winning mentality and great experience in both Serie A and the Champions League.
'He has long been recognised as a top class talent and the signing should excite the fans.
'We have enough midfield and offensive players to cope, and when he does start to play everyone will see what a clever player he is.'
