If the endorsements are anything to go by at least, Alberto Aquilani is one helluva player. Last night, in the Carling Cup tie at The Emirates, he finally appeared for Liverpool’s first XI – his first showing since the club spent £17m to bring him from Roma back in early August. Arsene Wenger, when quizzed recently on the debutant, admitted, “Yes, I know him well…He is a talented player…We followed him for one or two years..”. Indeed, Arsenal and Chelsea both made bids to sign Aquilani as a 16 year old, such is his ability…

Sold by Roma this summer to relieve pressing financial worries, Aquilani was given his debut at the club as an 18 year old by Fabio Cappello, and has represented his country at every age level from Under 16 all the way to full international. Roma favourite Daniel de Rossi summed up his team-mate’s feelings: “I promise you, we will be sorry for this sale” and John Arne Riise, having played with him last season, has assured Liverpool fans Aquilani is “the perfect replacement for Xabi Alonso”.

The problem, as we all well know, is his injury record; ankle, knee, hip and hamstring problems over the past three Serie A seasons have seen him average 16 league appearances and 2 goals per campaign, a disappointing return for all his considerable talents. Liverpool’s patchy start to the season has Rafa’s transfer record coming under close scrutiny, but Aquilani’s five year deal shows the manager’s complete faith not only in his powers of recovery, but illustrates how he is considered an integral part of Liverpool’s new attacking approach.

Last week saw a 15 minute run-out against Sunderland reserves ease the Italian back into action, and Benitez is suitably impressed with the new recruit: “We can see in every training session that he has quality, game intelligence and good movements…He is more offensive than Alonso…He can play a little bit higher than Javier Mascherano- maybe between him and Steven Gerrard…He can play as a second striker; this means we can play with a triangle formation in attack… He has good passing – the final ball is good – and he also works. If he can settle down properly in England he can be a very good addition.” Sounds the part, doesn’t he?

Despite the club losing four times in ten games already this season, it’s worth noting that, currently, of the top five midfield points scorers in FPL, three are Liverpool players. If Aquilani overcomes his injury problems, Rafa clearly has big plans for him, and at only 7.4m FPL, it could be well worth monitoring his recovery.

Then again, with his “previous”, there’s every chance Aquilani may just pick up another injury and spend further months on the sidelines once again. Do not pity him too much, however; he’ll only have current girlfriend Michela Quattrociocche to nurse him back to recovery.