There are not many teams out there that demand and divide opinion as much as Liverpool Football Club do and included in that are the players of Liverpool FC.
One man who is still technically a Liverpool player and who tends to provoke debate is Alberto Aquilani. The Italian has spent the season at Juventus where he has done okay, but most importantly has stayed fit.
The reasons behind his departure in August 2010 remain a bit of a mystery to me. Only two weeks prior to his leaving, Roy Hodgson had pin-pointed the midfielder as ‘looking good’ (along with Lucas). Whether Aquilani had asked for a move, unable to settle, hasn’t been made clear. He has always played his cards quite close to his chest; saying he loves it at Juventus while reminding people that he still belongs to Liverpool.
Aquilani has been a talking point seemingly all his professional life. Blessed with obvious talent and a great footballing brain, to use an old cliché. Injuries, however, have been his downfall.
Heralded as the successor to Francesco Totti, perhaps unfairly, ‘Il Principo’ failed to take the crown off the legendary Roman. Injuries, often to his ankles, prevented his progression and when Rafa Benitez decided he could rebuild and re-mould the player Roma took the bait.
His first season at Liverpool started off as we all knew it would, with him injured. For some reason this didn’t stop people criticising him. In some quarters, he was unbelievably branded a flop before even kicking a ball. Which is ridiculously as what defines a ‘flop’ has changed over the years it seems. A flop used to be someone who couldn’t hack it at a certain level, now it’s whoever hasn’t made an instant impact.
Of course, some people couldn’t handle the fact Rafa had just replaced the popular Alonso with a player deemed crocked.
I always felt criticisms were unfair though, and a lot depends on the standing of the manager on how much faith the fans give. Kenny Dalglish just spent £35m on an injured player, but no fan will question him, not that I disagree with the decision, but comparisons can be made.
For me, the Roman always looked class. After so long out, in a new country and new league, I felt he acquitted himself well. He always seemed one step in front of the opposition and his one touch passing impressed me. Although apparently it didn’t impress everyone. At one point during the home leg of our Europa League semi-final with Atletico, Aquilani, after a good instance of one touch passing was berated by a group of fans for being ‘scared of the ball’. After I had removed my face from my palm, I understood that this player may never be understood by all.
The majority of Liverpool fans could see the ability he has, and would no doubt have him back at Anfield. There are two key decisions to be made though; whether the player wants to stay in Italy, and whether Kenny Dalglish could find a place for him.
The relative success of Raul Meireles means that there may be no place for ol’ Bertie. Don’t be fooled however into thinking they’re similar players, they are very different and could, I think, play in the same team. It would be a positive managerial headache fitting both creative players alongside Gerrard and Lucas, as I don’t agree with sticking either of the midfielders out wide.
In an attacking team, with a good hold up player such as Carroll alongside more technical players such as Suarez and Meireles, the Italian could find his way at Liverpool yet and deep down I hope this is the case.
While Aquilani could play deep, and has done, he doesn’t possess the tenacity in the tackle as Lucas does. In possession though, there aren’t many better for dictating tempo.
The chances are that he will remain in his home country, whether it’s at Turin or elsewhere, but if Kenny does recall the player, then I think there is still a place for Alberto Aquilani, and I hope if he comes back the fans will give him the chance to prove himself.
By Chris Severs
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