All Things Alberto Aquilani

[5europeancups]

Rafael Benítez has shown the first signs of exasperation with Alberto Aquilani by suggesting the Liverpool midfielder's latest problem is not merely physical but psychological.

The Italy international has started only eight times for Liverpool since his ¤20m arrival from Roma and is sidelined with an ankle injury sustained in training on Wednesday. Aquilani has complained of discomfort in the same ankle that required surgery last May and which forced him to miss the first three months of this season, although scans have so far failed to identify the cause of the problem. Benítez admits he is at a loss as to when the 25-year-old will be fit but indicated that a history of injury problems is affecting Aquilani.

"He was complaining of pain in his ankle and said he couldn't train," the Liverpool manager said. "We will have to talk with the doctors to see what's going on because at the moment we don't know."

There are concerns that the Italian, ear-marked as the natural replacement for Xabi Alonso in a season that opened amid high expectation at Anfield, will be absent for the rest of this campaign should he undergo exploratory surgery. But Benítez said: "We don't know if he needs an operation. He has some pain and we will just analyse that with the doctor. It's the same ankle he did before. Some players maybe can manage with the pain, some players when they have pain cannot. When you talk of pain you never know, it depends on each individual and that makes it really difficult."

http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2...ental-physical

I dont get why Benitez goespublic with these sorts of comments all the tie and then criticises players like Riera for going public with some comments.

Fine he believes that Aquilani has an attitude problem, but why mention it to the national press? Does he think it will help.

I sometimes think Rafa needs to hire Max Clifford...

[el matador]

I dont get why Benitez goespublic with these sorts of comments all the tie and then criticises players like Riera for going public with some comments.

Fine he believes that Aquilani has an attitude problem, but why mention it to the national press? Does he think it will help.

I sometimes think Rafa needs to hire Max Clifford...

its probably quite likely that rafa has tried to give him a kick up the backside in private but that it hasnt worked - hence the more public route.

[Redspin]

I dont get why Benitez goespublic with these sorts of comments all the tie and then criticises players like Riera for going public with some comments.

Fine he believes that Aquilani has an attitude problem, but why mention it to the national press? Does he think it will help.

I sometimes think Rafa needs to hire Max Clifford...

Yawn - yet another of your tiresome WUM interjections. Nowhere does Rafa say that he believes Aquilani has an attitude problem. The journalist - and you, it goes without saying - has decided that, in merely stating the facts of the situation when asked in an interview, there is implicit criticism of Aquilani. Therefore he did not mention it to the press in some sort of outburst, but merely replied to questions about Aquilani

Please try harder. A proper WUM usually tries to hide his contempt for the club and make gentle but numerous jibes, not shout it from the rooftops like you

[Mike]

its probably quite likely that rafa has tried to give him a kick up the backside in private but that it hasnt worked - hence the more public route.

It is needed as well, wouldnt surprise me if he was sold in the summer...

[Shanks]

He's in the squad for tommorow.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/foo....html?ITO=1490

WTF??

.

[Lee]

He's in the squad for tommorow.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/foo....html?ITO=1490

WTF??

.

Hmm.

I would be shocked to see him in the squad tomorrow. If he is named in it then something is up, surely?!

[Baracus]

Auqilani will be on course to be shipped out of here if that really is his attitude, if he is named in the squad he lacks PMA. He'll need mr motivator at this rate. Dedication is what you need.

[dww]

Is anyone really surprised that any player who has spent long periods out with an ankle injury is less than keen to play on through pain in the same ankle? Especially after being told that a lot of his old injury problems were due to coming back too soon.

[Vermilion]

Is anyone really surprised that any player who has spent long periods out with an ankle injury is less than keen to play on through pain in the same ankle? Especially after being told that a lot of his old injury problems were due to coming back too soon.

Someone will be...

[dww]

Someone will be...

No doubt.

I have been thinking though that if you look at our squad and the problems we have had in recent times (some of these points apply to last season and before as well as this) then the injury record of key players has been a huge factor.

If you look back to the Kewell problems there were a number of times when we were told we were treating him badly and since he has left his injury record has improved. If the records of Gerrard, Torres and Agger improved we would be a much stronger team over a season and getting Aquilani on the pitch would be like a new signing.

[Baracus]

No doubt.

I have been thinking though that if you look at our squad and the problems we have had in recent times (some of these points apply to last season and before as well as this) then the injury record of key players has been a huge factor.

If you look back to the Kewell problems there were a number of times when we were told we were treating him badly and since he has left his injury record has improved. If the records of Gerrard, Torres and Agger improved we would be a much stronger team over a season and getting Aquilani on the pitch would be like a new signing.

i don't think he wants to come on

[Taxi]

The papers may as well have said "Rafa says Aquilani is a Poof"