RAFAEL BENITEZ believes it would be wrong to make an instant judgement on Alberto Aquilani as the Italian prepares for his long-awaited full Liverpool debut this evening.
Aquilani will make his first start since his £18million summer arrival from Roma in the final Champions League group game against Fiorentina at Anfield.
The 25-year-old has been restricted to just 22 minutes of action from the bench since making his comeback from an ankle injury that delayed his Liverpool bow until the Carling Cup clash at Arsenal in October.
Having been cautious to introduce Aquilani in recent weeks, Benitez has vowed to use the midfielder as often as possible during the remainder of the campaign.
But the manager has urged the Anfield faithful to remain patient with the Italy international. “I think the fans will get to see the best of Aquilani this season,” said Benitez. “It is a question of time. We want to use him as much as we can this season, starting from tomorrow.
“We know that he will still need some time. I know he has quality so I will not be surprised if he is doing well, but I will not be pushing him if he is not playing at the level we know he can play.
“He has good movement and is clever and will take up good positions. But in terms of his fitness you cannot expect him to be at the same level as the others.
“He scored an amazing goal in training on Monday. Fabio Aurelio had scored a 30-yard volley and then Alberto scored with his left foot over Reina in the top corner.
“It was a chip, it was very, very good and he showed some touches of quality. In terms of his movement on the pitch he is very clever, but in terms of his tackling he has to improve.”
Aquilani is poised to line up alongside Javier Mascherano in central midfield this evening behind Steven Gerrard, who will be given the chance to improve his match fitness.
Fernando Torres, however, is likely to appear only as a second-half substitute with
David Ngog likely to lead the frontline after coming on from the bench during Saturday’s goalless draw at Blackburn Rovers.
And Benitez said: “Some players need to play more games because of their match fitness and some players need to rest. Steven needs to improve his match fitness, so to start with him is an option.
“If everything is okay, Fernando will play in the second half. After three or four weeks without playing, it is important to improve his fitness little by little.”
With Liverpool already out of the competition, this evening’s fixture represents an opportunity for a number of fringe players.
Diego Cavalieri is poised to replace Pepe Reina in goal, while Andrea Dossena and Stephen Darby could appear at full-back, with Martin Kelly missing out with an ankle injury sustained in training yesterday.
But despite the changes, Benitez is eager to extend a six-game unbeaten run ahead of Sunday’s Premier League visit of Arsenal.
“We know this is the Champions League and it is at Anfield in front of our fans,” said the Anfield manager. “Clearly some players will have an opportunity. Aquilani is one. We will see if they can impress and that is an extra motivation for them.
“It will be a totally different game to we have played in the past we know that.
“But our fans will try and see Aquilani, if some other players can play well or not, hopefully we can create this atmosphere.
“This game, for a top side like Liverpool, will be a game we must try and win.
“It is important for us to play well and face Arsenal with maybe more confidence.”
TONIGHT’S officials are from Slovenia, with Damir Skomina the referee.
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