Aquilani - stay or go?

[Lee]

I think alot depends on where we see Henderson if he's playing through the middle he's extra competition for those spots but if he's playing from the right then he isn't.

Also when he (Henderson) plays centrally he isn't as attacking as a Gerrard or Aquilani type player, he's more likely to be competition for Adam? If we play with 3 centre midfielders you'd imagine there'd be one holding (Lucas/Spearing) one box to box (Adam/Henderson/Meireles??) and one attacking (Gerrard/Aquilani/Meireles). If we have a team set up like this I'd say Aquilani would be back up to Gerrard, and given there's a decent chance of Gerrard missing a few games, I'd say there's a chance of Aquilani staying.

Aquilani is competing with Gerrard and Meireles - and the latter could well leave. I don't know why people think he'll be up against Adam and Henderson.

[Exiled_red]

Aquilani is competing with Gerrard and Meireles - and the latter could well leave. I don't know why people think he'll be up against Adam and Henderson.

Also if we are looking for one of Aquilani or Meireles to be competing with (or back up to) Gerrard, IMO Aquilani is the better option, he is the better technical player of the two and that is his more natural position (whereas Meireles natural position is a deeper lying midfield role - which he isn't suited to in the Prmeiership). Meireles has only really played the attacking midfield role for us for a few games and while he did well in a decent number of them Aquilani to me looks more natural and comfortable in that role.

[Mostar]

I think alot depends on where we see Henderson if he's playing through the middle he's extra competition for those spots but if he's playing from the right then he isn't.

Also when he (Henderson) plays centrally he isn't as attacking as a Gerrard or Aquilani type player, he's more likely to be competition for Adam? If we play with 3 centre midfielders you'd imagine there'd be one holding (Lucas/Spearing) one box to box (Adam/Henderson/Meireles??) and one attacking (Gerrard/Aquilani/Meireles). If we have a team set up like this I'd say Aquilani would be back up to Gerrard, and given there's a decent chance of Gerrard missing a few games, I'd say there's a chance of Aquilani staying.

Absolutely. Aquilani will not be competing with Lucas for the place in the team and not so much with Adam neither even though he played in the similar role with Juve last year.

Henderson, as everything points, will be deployed on the right, so Aquilani is the most close replacement to Stevie we have in the squad.

Last year many made the point that we are overloaded in the midfield and that Aquilani will never be able to get any playing time and as things unfolded he could have been regular and finished the season with 20+ games.

We could have the same problem this year with injuries, suspensions and poor form and if there is a player that we should keep imo that would have to be Aquilani. One more injury etc. and he'll be a starter.

Also if Kenny decides not to use Kuyt (unlikely but possible) in the season opener he will be in a line-up.

[Fernandinho]

I think Aquilani also offers us something slightly different to Stevie in some aspects which gives us that bit of diversity. Aquilani is a more techinical style of player compared to Gerrard who plays a high pace/high movement style game.

[Lee]

Also if we are looking for one of Aquilani or Meireles to be competing with (or back up to) Gerrard, IMO Aquilani is the better option, he is the better technical player of the two and that is his more natural position (whereas Meireles natural position is a deeper lying midfield role - which he isn't suited to in the Prmeiership). Meireles has only really played the attacking midfield role for us for a few games and while he did well in a decent number of them Aquilani to me looks more natural and comfortable in that role.

Absolutely spot on.

I'm not saying Meireles is a bad player, because he isn't. But I don't really know what he excels at - he had that little purple patch in January which for me skewed peoples opinions of him. He can leave with his head held high but a fit Aquilani is a much more creative player.

I also think that Meireles' stock is currently as high as it will ever be.

[Kenneth]

All true.

[Mostar]

Aquilani is competing with Gerrard and Meireles - and the latter could well leave. I don't know why people think he'll be up against Adam and Henderson.

[Exiled_red]

Absolutely. Aquilani will not be competing with Lucas for the place in the team and not so much with Adam neither even though he played in the similar role with Juve last year.

Henderson, as everything points, will be deployed on the right, so Aquilani is the most close replacement to Stevie we have in the squad.

Last year many made the point that we are overloaded in the midfield and that Aquilani will never be able to get any playing time and as things unfolded he could have been regular and finished the season with 20+ games.

We could have the same problem this year with injuries, suspensions and poor form and if there is a player that we should keep imo that would have to be Aquilani. One more injury etc. and he'll be a starter.

Also if Kenny decides not to use Kuyt (unlikely but possible) in the season opener he will be in a line-up.

It's not just about starting games though I think he would be a good option to bring off the bench in the second half of games when we need a goal. When we're looking to attack and put the other side under pressure a midfield of Lucas/Adam Gerrard and Aquilani has more attacking threat than Gerrard Lucas & Adam. Aquilani could be the midfield option that can change the game.

[Mostar]

It's not just about starting games though I think he would be a good option to bring off the bench in the second half of games when we need a goal. When we're looking to attack and put the other side under pressure a midfield of Lucas/Adam Gerrard and Aquilani has more attacking threat than Gerrard Lucas & Adam. Aquilani could be the midfield option that can change the game.

If you want to see the best of Aquilani you'll have to play him regularly. He's not a type of player that will be able to impress with 20 minutes left on the clock.

I think he only need a chance and few string of games and Kenny's belief in his skills and imo he can be a very good player for us.

[BobTheCharmer]

Aquilani is competing with Gerrard and Meireles - and the latter could well leave. I don't know why people think he'll be up against Adam and Henderson.

What a simplistic view. Of course he's up against Adam and Henderson, because if they play he won't. Same for everyone. 8 midfielders into 4 won't go. To say this player plays that role and he's cover him obviously hadn't seen much of Kenny as manager.

[Lee]

What a simplistic view. Of course he's up against Adam and Henderson, because if they play he won't. Same for everyone. 8 midfielders into 4 won't go. To say this player plays that role and he's cover him obviously hadn't seen much of Kenny as manager.

Have a word.

Carroll won't play because Reina is in goal!!! 1111 Oneeee!!!

:bird:

[Exiled_red]

Absolutely spot on.

I'm not saying Meireles is a bad player, because he isn't. But I don't really know what he excels at - he had that little purple patch in January which for me skewed peoples opinions of him. He can leave with his head held high but a fit Aquilani is a much more creative player.

I also think that Meireles' stock is currently as high as it will ever be.

I don't have anything against Meireles, he did well last season and seems to be a decent all round player without really excelling in any one area. The reason I have touted him for the exit for most of the summer is that the majority of his games have been as a narrow wide player. Having signed Downing and Henderson as well as having Maxi and Kuyt who can play those roles I can't see him gettting many games there this season. He's not going to get games in the centre of midfield and for me Aquilani is the better attacking midfield option, which seems to leave Meireles out in the cold. His stock is high it just seems to make sense.

If he does leave he can do so with his head held high.

[Mostar]

I just think we'll make a big mistake if we let him go for peanuts.

He has a potential to be a difference maker for us next year if he gets the chance.

I know youtube compilations will make a poor player look amazing but I really enjoy watching him play as you never know what he'll attempt to do.

Really like his vision, touch and passing skills.


[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cn-pH6BV6Rs"]‪Alberto Aquilani II The Return to Liverpool II Goals Skills Assists 2011 HD‬‏ - YouTube[/ame]

[BobTheCharmer]

Have a word.

Carroll won't play because Reina is in goal!!! 1111 Oneeee!!!

:bird:

Have a word yourself. The ****ing Italian is going home. Flog him for a case of chianti, done.

[Exiled_red]

What a simplistic view. Of course he's up against Adam and Henderson, because if they play he won't. Same for everyone. 8 midfielders into 4 won't go. To say this player plays that role and he's cover him obviously hadn't seen much of Kenny as manager.

When everyone one is fit I really do think it is that simple, I think we need like for like replacements rather than having to re-arrange the whole midfield just because one player is out.