Source: SKY_Sports
Rafa backs Aquilani to shine
// A bit of a hack but it works// The article snippet is wrapped onto a second line, even when #article-sub is emptyif( $("div#article-sub").children().length == 0 ) {$("div#article-sub").remove();} Rafael Benitez believes Liverpool new boy Alberto Aquilani will prove to be a better playmaker than Xabi Alonso.[LNB] Aquilani has yet to make his Reds debut since his £20million summer switch from Roma but the Italian international has stepped up his rehabilitation from an ankle injury and should be available in October for the Merseysiders.[LNB]Reds boss Benitez has previously backed the Anfield new boy to fill the void of the departed Alonso - who returned to his homeland in a £30 million move to Real Madrid.[LNB]But the Spanish tactician has elaborated further, claiming the 25-year-old midfielder will carve out more chances for the likes of Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres than Alonso did before his summer switch.[LNB]Benitez told The Daily Mirror: "Alberto is running again and when we travel to play Fiorentina in the Champions League this week he will stay behind to continue with his rehabilitation programme.[LNB]Talent"I know the fans are frustrated but we have signed a good player with talent and I never worried that we would have to wait for him to be fit.[LNB]"Xabi was a player who received the ball and played long and short passes. Aquilani wants to play higher up the pitch than that.[LNB]"He wants to be in the final third so that he can create chances.[LNB]"In that respect, playing passes to give the strikers the chance to score, he is better than Alonso.[LNB]"When he is fit the team will be more dangerous because he has the ability to find Torres and Gerrard with passes that will give them more chances to score.[LNB]"He is ahead of schedule for his comeback, but we must be careful with him."[LNB]
