Who is alberto aquilani

An early strike from Totti had been cancelled out by a second half goal from Cristian Brocchi but, with seven minutes left, the deadly trio of Aquilani, Mancini and Totti combined for one of the goals of the season. Clarence Seedorf was dispossessed in his own half and Aquilani was first to react to the loose ball. With his back to goal, and from 40 yards out, he played Mancini through into the box with his first touch. This was no ordinary pass.

With his footballing brain in full swing and processing his options at a far greater speed than those around him, Aquilani matched his attacking mindset with exquisite skill to release Mancini with an inch-perfect rabona pass which the Brazilian crossed to Totti who nodded the ball past Dida to seal a famous win.

With Roma in control of the game a second goal was inevitable - but nobody expected it to be quite so spectacular. A corner came back out of the box at pace and Aquilani, from all of 40 yards, moved the ball onto his right foot and unleashed a rocket which rifled through the air and nestled in the back on the net. A truly must-see hit. Aquilani knew that the ball was destined for the net from the second it left his right foot, while both sets of supporters were left open-mouthed in awe and his teammates embarked on a foot-race to celebrate with their world-class playmaker.

When Aquilani was at his brilliant best, he was invariably the heartbeat of the Roma side. One thing he was not, though, was a like-for-like replacement for Xabi Alonso — yet that was what Benitez wanted Aquilani to be when he made the Italian the second-most expensive signing of his Liverpool tenure.

Alonso — who had left for Real Madrid due to differences with Benitez which stemmed from the manager's bizarre decision to try to replace him with Gareth Barry the year before — had a versatile passing nature that had made him such a perfect fit for a Reds midfield high on industry. He was not a ready-made quarterback, and Benitez soon realised this.

Despite his struggles for form and fitness, Aquilani did make 26 appearances in his first season at Anfield, and showed some flashes of inspiration. He got a standing ovation from the Kop after being subbed on his first league start on Boxing Day; was named man of the match against Portsmouth in March after scoring his first Reds goal; and put in a superb display against Atletico Madrid in the Europa League, although Liverpool lost on away goals.

However, he played very few games of real import, and was mostly saved for run outs against relegation candidates. At the end of the season, Benitez left Liverpool and new manager Roy Hodgson decided Aquiliani was not part of his plans, sending him back to Serie A on loan.

I n football, as in life, there are moments when you just know things could have been so different. So much better. For Alberto Aquilani one such moment was a game that took place 10 years ago. It was going one way but then swung the other and, as it did, his hopes of making it at Liverpool crumbled into dust. That, perhaps, is an oversimplification of what took place at Anfield on 29 April Equally, there is no escaping the feeling that there is a link; that failure for Liverpool led to failure for Aquilani.

The Italian is certainly in no doubt about that. A major European final beckoned. A rainbow after all the showers. Aquilani stated that he was happy at Liverpool and wished to stay and play under the new coach, however at the end of the tour, Aquilani flew to Italy to discuss a permanent transfer to Fiorentina.

Liverpool confirmed a deal had been completed with Fiorentina on 3 August to end Aquilani's underwhelming stay at Liverpool. Although Aquilani was thought to be a replacement for departure Xabi Alonso he is really more fond of an attacking role in midfield rather than a holding play making role. Liverpool FC Wiki Explore. Featured content. Explore Wikis Community Central. Register Don't have an account?