Limited: Alberto Aquilani
Rafa Benitez has shown his ruthless side by indicating Alberto
Aquilani may have to accept a bit-part role at Liverpool for the
rest of the season.
The £17million signing from Roma has been used sparingly since
recovering from an ankle injury and is likely to be on the bench
again for tonight’s game at Wigan.
There were no apologies from manager Benitez, however, as he
underlined why he cannot afford to give the Italy midfielder time
to find his feet.
Liverpool face an uphill battle to pip Manchester City,
Tottenham and Aston Villa for the fourth and final Champions League
place this season, and Benitez said: ‘Alberto isn’t stupid.
'He knows the priority now has to be the team, and what’s best
for everyone. All he can do is keep training and make sure he is
ready.
‘I have had a conversation with him ... he knows the situation.
Alberto is a very good professional who was a big name in Italy,
and he wants to show his quality here.’
Aquilani’s agent Franco Zavaglia said: ‘Alberto made a decision
of a lifetime. He’s fine at Liverpool ...next year will be the most
important for him.’
Benitez reiterated his belief that keeper Pepe Reina and
midfielder Javier Mascherano will sign new long-term contracts.
Deal or no deal: Pepe Reina
‘On Pepe, I am 100 per cent certain he will stay with us, and
I’m really confident Javier will, too,’ he said.
Wigan manager Roberto Martinez has urged winger Charles N’Zogbia
to use the club’s relegation scrap to gatecrash Fabio Capello’s
squad.
Martinez said: ‘I asked Charles the other day about England and
he said he was hoping.’