Benitez salutes ‘quality’ Aquilani

LIVERPOOL closed in on the signing of Roma’s Alberto Aquilani yesterday with boss Rafael Benitez insisting the midfielder will “excite” the fans.

The 25-year-old Italy international also received the backing of former Liverpool defender John Arne Riise, a team-mate with the Rome club.

Aquilani is due on Merseyside for a medical and to complete a £20 million (€23.3m) deal on a four-year contract.

Benitez, who has completed the sale of midfielder Xabi Alonso to Real Madrid, said: “Roma have allowed us to talk with him, so that’s good and positive. He is a player with the quality we are looking for.

“He can play a little bit higher (further forward) than Javier Mascherano – maybe between him and Steven Gerrard.

“He is a good passer, the final ball is good, and he also works. If he can settle down properly in England he can be a very good addition. I think the signing should excite the fans.’’

Aquilani’s departure from Roma comes with the club captain Francesco Totti claiming: “Alberto will be missed very much by everyone here.”

That includes Riise, who joined Roma from Liverpool for £4m (€4.6m) in June 2008.

Riise said: “When I first came to Roma, I didn’t know a thing about Aquilani.

“I knew all about Totti, Daniele De Rossi and Philippe Mexes, of course, but Aquilani was the player who surprised me the most in my first months with what he could do.

“He’s really good on the ball, with good passing and good movement. He works hard and is a good professional.

“He likes to have the ball at his feet but not because he likes to dribble, he just wants to keep the team moving. He never stands still, he is always on the run.

“He certainly runs more than Xabi and is probably more dangerous in terms of getting in the box and trying to score goals.

“When I came to Rome he was my neighbour and helped me out a lot. He is a good friend. Liverpool will be getting a very good player.”

Alonso completed his £30m (€35m) move to Madrid on Wednesday by “thanking the Liverpool family for five very enjoyable years at the club”.

Former colleague Dirk Kuyt, who captained Liverpool to a 2-0 win over Lyn Oslo on Wednesday night, maintained the club must move on now the Alonso saga is over.

Kuyt said: “Alonso has been great for Liverpool, but we will fight on.”