Patience a virtue for Reds’ Aquilani

ITALIAN midfielder Alberto Aquilani may have to be patient for a little longer before getting his first start for Liverpool since his £20million summer move from Roma.

Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez has played down claims the Italy international – reassured by national boss Marcello Lippi over his World Cup final chances this week following six months of injury problems – will start Saturday’s home match with Manchester City.

Aquilani has now recovered from ankle surgery but has so far managed one 15-minute spell in a reserve match and two similar cameo roles in senior matches with Arsenal and Birmingham.