The signing of Alberto Aquilani is an interesting one for Liverpool now that Xabi Alonso has finally departed for Real Madrid. There’s no doubt the Italian is a good player, he’s a neat and tidy midfielder who’ll more than likely score more goals than Alonso did. However, he is extremely injury prone and will miss the start of the season so it leaves Rafa Benitez a bit short in the middle of the park.
There’s no doubt that the fee for Alonso is a huge one and it’s a good bit of business for Rafa in terms of making a profit and signing a younger similar player for less. I know Alonso was rated by many as Liverpool’s best player last season but I always felt he was one player they could afford to lose that could be replaced. Mainly because that type of midfielder, one that does the simple things very well can easily be found in today’s market.
Rafa already had someone pencilled in to replace the Spaniard which is simply good management. If a player wants to leave then the main task is to get as much as you can for him and then to replace him as soon as possible. Benitez has done well on both counts
[/quote]The signing of Alberto Aquilani is an interesting one for Liverpool now that Xabi Alonso has finally departed for Real Madrid. There’s no doubt the Italian is a good player, he’s a neat and tidy midfielder who’ll more than likely score more goals than Alonso did. However, he is extremely injury prone and will miss the start of the season so it leaves Rafa Benitez a bit short in the middle of the park.
There’s no doubt that the fee for Alonso is a huge one and it’s a good bit of business for Rafa in terms of making a profit and signing a younger similar player for less. I know Alonso was rated by many as Liverpool’s best player last season but I always felt he was one player they could afford to lose that could be replaced. Mainly because that type of midfielder, one that does the simple things very well can easily be found in today’s market.
Rafa already had someone pencilled in to replace the Spaniard which is simply good management. If a player wants to leave then the main task is to get as much as you can for him and then to replace him as soon as possible. Benitez has done well on both counts
I know Alonso was rated by many as Liverpool’s best player last season but I always felt he was one player they could afford to lose that could be replaced. Mainly because that type of midfielder, one that does the simple things very well can easily be found in today’s market.