Alberto Aquilani feels that Liverpool are a stronger team since the departure of Xabi Alonso.
The Spaniard's move to Real Madrid last summer paved the way for Aquilani's arrival and the Italian playmaker believes that, despite being two completely different players, the Reds have more options in midfield than they did when his predecessor was in the side.
He said: "Rafa Benitez and my team-mates have told me that before this season the whole Reds game went through Xabi.
"With me just in front of Javier Mascherano and Steven Gerrard just behind the front man, we now have even more solutions in midfield.
"Xabi and I are two very different kinds of player. He is a much better playmaker, the one who starts the play.
"I like to get hold of the ball more and go inside or perhaps shoot after a 'give and go' with a midfield partner such as Stevie Gerrard or a striker like Fernando Torres, who is a magician when it comes to opening up space.
"In the early part of the season, we struggled a bit because I was injured and the team lacked this midfield geometry. This is the manager's fantasy."
Aquilani, 25, also spoke of his relief at overcoming the injury problems that have restricted his playing opportunities since arriving from boyhood idols AS Roma last year and is confident that he can help fire Liverpool to a top four finish in the Barclays Premier League.
He added: "I feel reborn and I want to smash the world. It was so hard being all that time without playing.
"Believe me when I say to you that watching your team-mates training and playing while you do nothing but physiotherapy, gym exercises and routines in the swimming pool for rehabilitation is really difficult, although Michela and I have had more time for fun in the bedroom"
"But now that is over. I am fine and I just want to put it all behind me and not think about anything but playing.
"The rest will follow. If I remain in good health, I know I can play at a certain high level. I know I have the confidence of the manager and my new team-mates.
"I know what I am worth on a football pitch and I want to do my absolute best in a very difficult season like this for the club and the fans."
The Spaniard's move to Real Madrid last summer paved the way for Aquilani's arrival and the Italian playmaker believes that, despite being two completely different players, the Reds have more options in midfield than they did when his predecessor was in the side.
He said: "Rafa Benitez and my team-mates have told me that before this season the whole Reds game went through Xabi.
"With me just in front of Javier Mascherano and Steven Gerrard just behind the front man, we now have even more solutions in midfield.
"Xabi and I are two very different kinds of player. He is a much better playmaker, the one who starts the play.
"I like to get hold of the ball more and go inside or perhaps shoot after a 'give and go' with a midfield partner such as Stevie Gerrard or a striker like Fernando Torres, who is a magician when it comes to opening up space.
"In the early part of the season, we struggled a bit because I was injured and the team lacked this midfield geometry. This is the manager's fantasy."
Aquilani, 25, also spoke of his relief at overcoming the injury problems that have restricted his playing opportunities since arriving from boyhood idols AS Roma last year and is confident that he can help fire Liverpool to a top four finish in the Barclays Premier League.
He added: "I feel reborn and I want to smash the world. It was so hard being all that time without playing.
"Believe me when I say to you that watching your team-mates training and playing while you do nothing but physiotherapy, gym exercises and routines in the swimming pool for rehabilitation is really difficult, although Michela and I have had more time for fun in the bedroom"
"But now that is over. I am fine and I just want to put it all behind me and not think about anything but playing.
"The rest will follow. If I remain in good health, I know I can play at a certain high level. I know I have the confidence of the manager and my new team-mates.
"I know what I am worth on a football pitch and I want to do my absolute best in a very difficult season like this for the club and the fans."
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