So, what of Aquilani?

[Rich]

I think on the whole Rafa did well for us with his transfers, having to wheel and deal all the time and making incremental improvements in the squad. However Keane and Aquilani were two absolute howlers and there's no defending either of them. Okay Keane wasn't Rafa's first choice and all that, but the buck has to stop with him on that one unfortunately.

I think one day Rafa will come out and explain both transfers and maybe we'll be able to understand them a bit better, what with potential mitigating circumstances - but they were **** ups regardless.

I hope so. Huge transfer mistakes by Rafa. All managers make them but the problem for us was they were clustered together.

[redlancer]

Could also depend on the payment triggers in the purchase.

Maybe to get him match fit and play enough games would trigger a lot of transfer payments, and he hasn't shown that's worth the risk so get someone else to pay his wages to that.

[Cleo]

AQUILANI SET FOR ITALY RETURN

By Andy Hampson, Press Association Sport

Liverpool midfielder Alberto Aquilani is set to be loaned out to a club back in his native Italy.

Aquilani has struggled to make an impact at Anfield since his £20million arrival from Roma last summer.

The 26-year-old was signed by former Reds manager Rafael Benitez as a replacement for the influential Xabi Alonso but his first season on Merseyside was hampered by injuries.

Aquilani was not included in Liverpool's squad for Thursday night's Europa League play-off against Trabzonspor and discussions are under way over a possible move.

Current boss Roy Hodgson said: "At the moment we are considering possibly loaning him to an Italian club, but nothing is sure about that yet so I don't have anything definite to report.

"I didn't want to use him (against Trabzonspor) just in case the loan goes through, because for Aquilani this year it's very important that he plays regular football, every week, as the number one man on the teamsheet.

"I can't promise him that here so if a loan move to Italy could help him in that respect it might be good for all parties.

"It would certainly be what he needs, it would certainly protect the value of the player and when he does return to Liverpool no doubt we will see the Aquilani that we signed before he came here injured last year."

Aquilani had a history of injury problems when he joined Liverpool and it was more than two months into last season before he made his debut for the club.

Hodgson has given no indication as to which Italian club he could join but he was linked with Juventus - from whom Liverpool have just signed midfielder Christian Poulsen - earlier in the year.

[Pablo]

Could also depend on the payment triggers in the purchase.

Maybe to get him match fit and play enough games would trigger a lot of transfer payments, and he hasn't shown that's worth the risk so get someone else to pay his wages to that.

I think this is part of it

Did ever ever find any details about how the Aquilani deal was broke down?

[Leyton388]

A lot of people on here said he was a flop and a waste of money and they were pulled to bits for it. Well it looks like they were correct.

Keane and Aquilani what a waste of money! Almost £40m on two flops when we have not got a pot to piss in today! At least Hodgson knows a flop when he see's one!

[Rich]

I think this is part of it

Did ever ever find any details about how the Aquilani deal was broke down?

:bomb:

[rudedog]

I don't remember the Keane transfer causing too much discontent at the time we signed him, most folks seemed happy enough that we'd signed a life long red and premiership proven scorer who could guarantee 15+ goals a season - hindsight is a wonderful thing.

Also, wasn't there a lot of talk at the time that Keane wasn't a Rafa purchase?

[SimonNo7]

I still think he wasn't given any proper chance to prove his worth. Yes all the injuries,viruses etc but he is a good player and I personally would keep him.

Regardless of everything he still gives us more depth on the bench (it is not like we will get a replacement if he is loaned..) and could definitely step in and replace Joe and/or Stevie if there is any need.

Pity really..

Agree with all this. If he is fit he should definitely step in for Cole while he is banned.

He is a good player and was one of the only ones last season who could move off the ball and create space rather than the statuesque play of a lot of the others.

I thought the whole point of a squad was to have 2 players for each position. I know Stevie can play there too (and how) but as I have posted before with regards to the two Midfield positions and the Attacking Midfield position we now have (for the moment) Mascha & Poulsen for DM, Stevie & Lucas for M (with license to roam) and Cole & Aquilani for the AM role. Strength in Depth I see.

[RichC]

There was a lot of talk at the time that Keane wasn't wanted buy Rafa from the start and that he was furious the club went through with the purchase. I also don't remember the transfer causing this level of disbelief at the time we signed him, most folks seemed happy enough that we'd signed a premiership proven scorer who could guarantee 15+ goals a season - hindsight is a wonderful thing.

Talked about this signing with mates at the time (one is a dirty Manc but what can you do) and we all thought that Keane was that last piece of the jigsaw we needed to perhaps get us over the finishing line first - how wrong was I.

I think though it shows the massive hole that Xabi left which we just couldn't fill and IMO still haven't.

[redlancer]

A lot of people on here said he was a flop and a waste of money and they were pulled to bits for it. Well it looks like they were correct.

Keane and Aquilani what a waste of money! Almost £40m on two flops when we have not got a pot to piss in today! At least Hodgson knows a flop when he see's one!

Think we lost 3-4M on Keane for 6months work
Aquilani how much has he cost us if he never plays for us again? say 7M
That's 10M not 40M for a season and half of player time or a Kuyt week.

Keane is an odd one on the fact he returned from where he came to go out on loan

[Lee]

Loan FFS?!

The lad is clearly a talented player, but it doesn't look as if he's cut out for this league at all. I also wonder how much of it is now a mental problem too rather and a physical one.

He'll come back next season with only two years left on his contract too... ffs.

[Rich]

Aquilani how much has he cost us if he never plays for us again? say 7M

Kills self

Are you doing this on purpose? Pablo's gonna love this...

We're committed to paying Roma at least €20m for Aquilani.

[Rich]

I'm sure some one can dig up the actually deal particulars

[cadmium]

Lets hope Rafa comes in with a big money offer for him

[Exiled_red]

I'm unsure whether loaning him out is a good idea or not, if he does well we could get more for him, but we need to replace him now and we don't exactly have alot of cash floating around.