Rafa Benitez defends handling of Aquilani as £20m man finally wins start

08 December 2009 19:44
Rafa Benitez has defended his decision to keep Alberto Aquilani under wraps ahead of the £20million Italian's first start. [LNB]The Liverpool midfielder has be plagued by injuries since his switch from Roma in the summer but fans have become increasingly irritated by Benitez's refusal to press him into first-team action.[LNB] Welcome addition: Alberto Aquilani will line up against Fiorentina at Anfield[LNB]The Reds boss has handed just three cameo appearances to the Italy international as their hopes of silverware continuer to fade. [LNB]Benitez has confirmed Aquilani will start against Fiorentina inn Wednesday's dead rubber with Fiorentina - Liverpool are already out of the Champions League - at Anfield. [LNB]Game for a laugh: Aquilani will line up alongside Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher[LNB]The Spaniard also revealed his reasons behind his reluctance to throw Aquilani, who was sidelined with ankle and back injuries, straight into the starting XI earlier this season. [LNB]'He will start tomorrow,' said Benitez. 'He will do a proper warm-up on his own, and also with the fitness coach, so we will take care of him and he will be ready. [LNB]'We decided we couldn't take any risks with him. It wouldn't have been good for him or us. We were always considering playing him against Blackburn, but when the game is so tight and physical, sometimes it can be worse for the player to play for 10-15 minutes. [LNB]'We wanted to protect him and give him the best opportunity to play well. Hopefully Wednesday will be the day. [LNB]'He has quality, good vision and is dynamic. It is a question of match fitness, but I think we will see some of these things against Fiorentina. If he can carry on training properly and play some games, we will see his quality. [LNB]'He is a player with experience at international level, which is important, but he is in a new country with different teammates, so he has to settle down and will need time. Each individual is different, but normally players need time.'[LNB] Tough times: Alberto Aquilani (top right) had to be patient on the sidelines[LNB]Fernando Torres will be back following his groin injury, but will start the match on the bench. Second-choice keeper Diego Cavalieri is also expected to play, with Jose Reina being rested. [LNB]Dirk Kuyt could sit out the match with boss Rafael Benitez confirming that several squad players will get a run-out. Reserve striker Daniel Pacheco is likely to be involved at some stage. [LNB]Squad: Cavalieri, Johnson, Carragher, Skrtel, Insua, Aquilani, Lucas, Mascherano, Gerrard, Riera, Ngog, Riera, Benayoun, Aurelio, Darby, Spearing, Kelly, Pacheco, Agger. [LNB] Alberto Aquilani: Will Rafa finally let his saviour loose at Liverpool?Lucas happy to make way as £20m man Aquilani is set to start for LiverpoolLiverpool boss Benitez insists he will not rush Aquilani's return from injuryLIVERPOOL FC

Source: Daily_Mail