Benitez: We must be patient with Aquilani

Liverpool fans may be pinning their hopes on Alberto Aquilani leading a revival in the Reds’ fortunes, but there is no chance of the Italian midfielder being ready to face Manchester United on Sunday.

Liverpool head into the match at Anfield having lost their last four games - their worst run for 22 years – and with injuries to key players Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres.

Aquilani, the £20m midfielder signed from Roma in the summer to replace Xabi Alonso, played in a Liverpool shirt for the first time on Wednesday in the reserves following ankle surgery.

But Reds boss Rafael Benitez insists the player needs time to settle in even when he is fit enough for the first team – and that is still some time away.

Benitez said: “When will he play? It depends on how he is physically.

“He has got very good levels of stamina but now he has to improve his sharpness. To get match fitness he needs to play games and what we have to do is analyse carefully which game is the best and how long he will play for.”