Reds agree Aquilani deal

[Shaggy]

His name fits with the Javier Mascherano song. Not that we should sing it.

[Darkon]

Great with a quick replacement!

Looking forward to seeing him in action, don't know to much about him, but I have an impression that he is more physical and better going forward than alonso!

[Pablo]

From the clips I've seen he reminds me a little bit of a right footed Patrick Berger!

[E-RO]

Everyone wants to know, Alberto, Alberto, Alberto

Not quite the same!

[Pedenj]

Is it me or has the wording of the story changed.

Liverpool FC today confirmed they have received permission from AS Roma to discuss personal terms with Italian international Alberto Aquilani.
The Reds concluded their discussions with Roma for permission to approach the player once the sale of Xabi Alonso to Real Madrid was finally agreed.
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Aquilani, 25, who has yet to complete a medical, is expected to feature heavily for Italy in next year's World Cup finals.
*
Rafa Benitez said: "Alberto is a very good player who has a winning mentality and great experience in both Serie A and the Champions League.
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"He has long been recognised as a top class talent in Italy, captaining his country at both Under 19 and Under 21 levels before establishing himself in the senior national side."

[Zapater]

Indeed it has, maybe they're running some extra tests to make sure that he's upto it or the medical has hit a kink somewhere so they're delaying it. Hope everything goes smoothely because Aquilani is a player I'd like us to sign.

From memory we missed out on Gabi Milito when Rafa first took over back due to a failed medical and until last season he was always fit and played really good football at Zaragoza and when he just joined Barca, so hopefully he can overcome it and will be fit. And stay fit, unlike Milito.

[Robbie-9-Fowler]

LOL - i think that most teams will be fearing ronaldo, kaka and benzema more than Xabi "2 or 3 goals per season" alonso!

Xabi will be the glue that hole Madrid together.. IMO just as important as the lady boy and Kaka

[leftpeg]

So the important questions are:

Can he take a corner

and can he take a freekick

We've needed some more class in both departments since Gary Mac left.

Exactly. I always thought that taking corners, at least, should be a fairly basic skill for a professional footballer.

[Liverpel]

Aquilani is still recovering from an operation on his right ankle in May. He is not expected to be fit for the start of the new Premier League season, which begins for Liverpool at White Hart Lane on 16 August, and Benítez will have to be convinced of the Italian's fitness to complete the transfer.

from the Guardian

[Tatterdemalion]

If we get Aquilani, i dont think there's a need to get Defour.

I still dream of Villa, but back to reality, perhaps just Silva will do.

Readin Rafa's comments, and saying that Aquilani can play between Gerrard and Mascha, says to me that Rafa expects Gerrard to play behind the striker this season, which also says to me - no big name striker signing this season.

[Barndoor]

my thoughts exactly.....

[DannyMan2006]

So the important questions are:

Can he take a corner

and can he take a freekick

We've needed some more class in both departments since Gary Mac left.

We don't know as Totti takes all the Roma set-pieces. Anyone remember him from the U21 tournament?

The footage of Aquilani on SSN shows him scoring a cracking free kick from distance in the U21 tournament. So he obviously has that in his locker. As I said earlier, Totti takes all set pieces at Roma so he'd never get a look in their, so don't take his lack of goals as an indication he can't hit a free kick.

[barnes10]

its pretty simple. if the guy stays fit, if he settles into the premiership, our team will be stronger with masher, him and gerrard than with masher alonso and gerrard.

he's a more direct, goalscoring midfielder that will complement masher. xabi, whilst lauded as a conductor and the great pass-master that he is, was too defensive to win the premiership. this fella looks quite scholes like with his forward runs.

am liking this

[Shaggy]

This clip gives you a decent idea of what he's about.

Looks two-footed, has an eye for a pass and makes good runs into the box...

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1BE_qH5hb7A"]YouTube - Alberto Aquilani- Welcome to Liverpool FC Compilation[/ame]

[DannyMan2006]

As youtube compilations go that was very impressive. Scores long distance goals with the instep with both feet, passes with both feet, shows a turn of pace and scores close range goals on the side foot with both feet.

Clearly, he is two footed