So, what of Aquilani?

[Redspin]

I think we have to look at the first half and see how we failed in possession to get a proper out look on the game. Too many aimless balls up towards N'Gog as opposed to quick, vibrant passing through the midfield.

I'm pretty sure the midfield possession was affected by our having two players in the forward midfield three - Cole and Jovanovic - making their debuts, so obviously their level of understanding with team-mates wasn't quite there. Most if not all aimless long balls forward originate from the usual source - Jamie "Row Z" Carragher

[lancinleeds]

It's a bit sad for Alberto all round, destined not to make it.

For me though he would never be in my first choice XI. I think if we keep our team fit we have enough options there to do without him. He would have been more of a cup player for me. Plus I'm pretty sure one or two will join us before the end of August.

[Craig_H]

Exactly. The usual suspects are keen to big up Arsenal when they played half a game against 10 men, nearly ten minutes of which was against just 9 men. And yet their first shot on goal - apart from two free pots at goal from free-kicks outside the box - came in the 86th minute.

In the first half they created absolutely nothing and seemed clueless when they got within 30 yards of goal, so no through balls, no chances, no goals

I wouldn't mind playing them every week apart from the fact that I'd get a sore neck from following so many sideways passes by them from one side to the other and back again before the moves inevitably break down

If we'd had 11 on the pitch for the full match I think it's highly likely we would have won by a couple of goals. There are far more positives for us after that game than there are for Arsenal

Yes, because we've got such a great recent record against arsenal, we pretty much always thump them by at least a couple of goals....and they're just rubbish really, the fact that they finished comfortably above us last season was just a freak incident. They're **** really.

[Mostar]

Oh come on, Rafa hardly played him himself when fit, there was the comment he made about some players being prepared to play when they're not 100% and then there's the others (something along those lines). Roys seen him in training and knows the score better than us.

He's a dud and a complete waste of £20m. If he had heart and prepared to man up a bit, he'd probably make it, but I don't think he does. Great business Rafa.

Alberto a dud? Based on what? Hardly played to be rated either way.

Not to take a dig at Rafa but he knew Alberto was injuried even before he signed him and that he would not be available for quite a long time in the season. By the time we was somewhat healthy, Rafa then decided not to play him as we were so far behind and playing **** that he thought it would be a risky venture to even give him a chance.

Roy, to my disappointment, also want to rid without really trying him out. If he wants to give this lad a chance to prove himself he could easily play him in all competitions except PL and if not perform consider other alternatives include loaning him (January is not that far).

When it comes to Alberto he played (I am not so sure he played more than 2 full time game except against Atletico and Hull) he was very decent and imo can only get better as he has not settled in PL yet.

It is impossible for him to prove himself as we all expect him to impress as soon as he is on the pitch in those 20-25 minutes that he is given and he is not Teddy S. kind of a player.

He needs playing time and his manager to believe in him for Aqua man to produce and clearly it appears none of those 2 things are working in his favor.

Also why loan a player that we may need to fill in for JC and SG.

What if we have a bad streak of injuries as we had last year with our last line of defense? What if Joe is not delivering as much as we expect or hope? Having a dept and good competition for each position is necessity if we want to be successful.

It is shame that we give up on a player like Alberto so quickly and yet we are willing to give a player like Babel all time in the world to prove his so called potential..

[Maxiedge]

He's not a dud. He's actually quality but he has issues

[Bender]

Liverpool midfielder Alberto Aquilani has agreed to join Juventus on loan, according to Il Corriere dello Sport.

Roy Hodgson intimated last night that the former Roma youngster was likely to go back to Italy temporarily.

Juventus have been in the market for a ball-playing central midfielder all summer, but attention has so far focused on Lazio's Cristian Ledesma.

Il Corriere understands that an option to buy Aquilani outright has also been included in the deal.

Aquilani's agent Franco Zavaglia is said to be in Liverpool to conclude the arrangment.

Il Corriere are so confident that the loan will go through that they have released tomorrow's front page in anticipation.
Translation Confirmed anticipation of Corriere dello Sport-Stadio this morning: Alberto Aquilani is a player of Juve. Found an agreement with Liverpool for the loan with the right of redemption in favor of Juventus for 17 million. Were also signed contracts. The official could be reached already in the day.

It was the Reds' manager, Hodgson, to admit a few hours ago that the former Roma midfielder could return to Italy, so much so that the forum was held yesterday in the race for Europe League against Trabzonspor. "At this moment We are considering whether to sell it on loan to Italian club, but there's nothing for sure yet, so I can not tip the balance - the words of Liverpool manager after the game last night -. I did not want to use it to avoid compromising his eventual departure. One reason for this Albert is a very important season, must play every week. I can not promise here, perhaps a loan in Italy could help and would be a good solution for everyone. " Aquilani in twenty-six games last season with Liverpool, 13 from the holder, with two goals and six assists.

[lickedlollipop]

why would we loan him? it's the same with degen

[Bender]

tbh what's he done for another team to risk money on .....lord knows why we took that risk we should have taken him on loan first considering his injury problems

[Fierce]

Exactly. The usual suspects are keen to big up Arsenal when they played half a game against 10 men, nearly ten minutes of which was against just 9 men. And yet their first shot on goal - apart from two free pots at goal from free-kicks outside the box - came in the 86th minute.

In the first half they created absolutely nothing and seemed clueless when they got within 30 yards of goal, so no through balls, no chances, no goals

I wouldn't mind playing them every week apart from the fact that I'd get a sore neck from following so many sideways passes by them from one side to the other and back again before the moves inevitably break down

If we'd had 11 on the pitch for the full match I think it's highly likely we would have won by a couple of goals. There are far more positives for us after that game than there are for Arsenal

Yes, because we've got such a great recent record against arsenal, we pretty much always thump them by at least a couple of goals....and they're just rubbish really, the fact that they finished comfortably above us last season was just a freak incident. They're **** really.

Did you quote the wrong post in your reply there?




For me, it was just about 50/50. They were all over us in the 1st half, albeit without any real goal threat

When we went a man down, it seemed to galvanise us, and in the second half they were extremely lucky to draw, let alone lose by 2

However, I don't believe a draw was a fair result at all, all things considered. Cole's was never a sending off, and theirs was a freak goal. I'd have taken a draw before the game, but given how we played I think we ended up desperately unlucky to only come away with a point

[Fierce]

Also, should we have looked at any Juve players on loan? Iaquinta used to be ace, could be the perfect target man?

[Leyton388]

Tell you what the sickening thing is. LFC should have taken him on an initial loan rather than buy him outright when he was ****ed!

[Mostar]

Liverpool midfielder Alberto Aquilani has agreed to join Juventus on loan, according to Il Corriere dello Sport.

Roy Hodgson intimated last night that the former Roma youngster was likely to go back to Italy temporarily.

Juventus have been in the market for a ball-playing central midfielder all summer, but attention has so far focused on Lazio's Cristian Ledesma.

Il Corriere understands that an option to buy Aquilani outright has also been included in the deal.

Aquilani's agent Franco Zavaglia is said to be in Liverpool to conclude the arrangment.

Il Corriere are so confident that the loan will go through that they have released tomorrow's front page in anticipation.
Translation Confirmed anticipation of Corriere dello Sport-Stadio this morning: Alberto Aquilani is a player of Juve. Found an agreement with Liverpool for the loan with the right of redemption in favor of Juventus for 17 million. Were also signed contracts. The official could be reached already in the day.

It was the Reds' manager, Hodgson, to admit a few hours ago that the former Roma midfielder could return to Italy, so much so that the forum was held yesterday in the race for Europe League against Trabzonspor. "At this moment We are considering whether to sell it on loan to Italian club, but there's nothing for sure yet, so I can not tip the balance - the words of Liverpool manager after the game last night -. I did not want to use it to avoid compromising his eventual departure. One reason for this Albert is a very important season, must play every week. I can not promise here, perhaps a loan in Italy could help and would be a good solution for everyone. " Aquilani in twenty-six games last season with Liverpool, 13 from the holder, with two goals and six assists.

Aquilani on a loan? Just to off load his wages? Any replacements, no? What a ****in' joke.

How does this travesty make things better for our current squad and this year of competition

[Kenneth]

Longer term, he'll learn how to play football again after being crocked for 18 months.

[little dave hedgehog]

anyone reckon he'll actually get more games at juve? i'm not sure he will.

[DannyMan2006]

anyone reckon he'll actually get more games at juve? i'm not sure he will.

Of course he will. The guy is a class act and proved that at Roma. Hence the reason we paid big bucks for him.

I can only imagine the reason we are letting him go is because he has failed to settle in the Premier League. Always a risk when you sign a player from abroad.