Rick D’Andrea


It was only 13 seasons ago when an influx of Italian superstars hit the shores of the British Isles. Roberto Di Matteo, Gianluca Vialli, Fabrizio Ravanelli and Gianfranco Zola all made the transition from Serie A to the English Premier League.

Di Matteo, Vialli and Zola moved to Chelsea and were also joined by French defender Marcel Desailly, whilst Ravanelli chose to play for Middlesbrough. Vialli and Ravanelli had decided to leave Italian giants Juventus, after taking the Bianconeri to win the Champions League the previous season, Di Matteo chose to move overseas due to falling out with then-Lazio manager Zdenek Zeman, and Zola followed Di Matteo as he could not fit into then-Parma, now-Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti’s plans.

All five players had success in the Premier League. The Blues managed to add to their trophy cabinet by claiming the FA Cup in 1997, something that was missing since 1970. The White Feather also helped Middlesbrough to the League Cup final in the same year, scoring the goal which put the team ahead in the decider, but lost in a replay to Leicester City.

The following season saw the Blues take the next step and taste European glory, in the form of the European Cup Winners’ Cup, as well as the UEFA Super Cup.

What these players did was illustrate that an Italian frame-of-mind could be applied in an English setting, with ample success. Generally considered a defenders’ paradise, Serie A was known for tormenting the best strikers in the world. Whoever joined Italian top-flight football, and scored on a continuous basis, had to have talent.

Fast-forward over a decade later, and Liverpool’s Alberto Aquilani has made the transition from Italy to England, leaving the Italian capital for the Reds over the summer for approximately €25M.

Aquilani had only signed a three-year extension a few months prior to his move, affirming his commitment to the Giallorossi, and to developing a devastating midfield combination with Daniele De Rossi. The Lupi were insurmountable when both players were in form. Aquilani would sit just behind De Rossi, and provide the link between the defence, and the middle third. When De Rossi moved alongside Roma captain Francesco Totti – especially near the penalty box – Aquilani would push up and provide another attacking outlet, creating a trident of options.

So, what can Liverpudlians and fans of English football expect from the 25-year-old Italian international?

How about slotting just behind captain and club legend Steven Gerrard, and providing enticing through balls to the England international, as well as Spanish striker Fernando Torres? If the Italian gets enough game-time, and develops a rapport with these two icons, Reds fans could be in for a treat. Just as he linked up with De Rossi and Totti, another form of trident could be created, and many dangerous situations around the oppositions’ goal could occur.

“What are his qualities? He is a very good passer of the ball, he runs a lot, finds space everywhere and he likes to get in the box to score goals,” former Roma team-mate and former Reds favourite John Arne Riise told The Mirror newspaper upon hearing his departure from the Lupi.

“As well as that he has a good shot, and he is a smart player. When he settles into the English way of playing he will be very good.”

Sitting in front of the defence, Aquilani could almost become a fifth defender, joining the likes of Jamie Carragher and Martin Skrtel in stopping superstars in their tracks. He could also push higher should Javier Mascherano be selected, flanking him in the starting XI.

But what most followers of the English game really want to know is whether the Italian international will be able to take the place of Xabi Alonso, who exited Anfield this summer for Real Madrid? Aquilani was brought into the team, at considerable cost, to fill the gaping hole left by the Spanish international.

"Xabi was a player who received the ball and played long and short passes. Aquilani wants to play higher up the pitch than that,” the Liverpool boss described his new signing.

"He wants to be in the final third so that he can create chances.

"In that respect, playing passes to give the strikers the chance to score, he is better than Alonso," he added.

Of course, Aquilani has yet to make any impact for the Reds, apart from an impressive cameo in the league cup defeat to Arsenal. Injuries are what have plagued the midfielder in recent seasons, and they weren’t just injuries that could be shaken off after a week or two. Instead, they were lengthy lay-offs, which saw him miss crucial games in both Italy and Europe.

This will be Aquilani’s Achilles heel. Should he reach top-form, it will not become a case of continuously playing the midfielder, so that he stays match-fit, but about managing him so that he can make appearances throughout the season, and avoid picking up more injuries. It will be up to the Reds’ medical staff to keep on top of this situation, so that he can transport the level of performance shown in Serie A, over to the Premier League.

Should the midfielder keep his form, a recall into Marcello Lippi’s Azzurri outfit could be a distinct possibility, and playing on the grandest stage of all next June cannot be ruled out. Having represented the Italian national team at every level, Aquilani has the experience to perform.

What Liverpool fans will hope for is that Alberto Aquilani can become another household name in the centre of midfield, and create a partnership with the rest of his team-mates. The player himself will want to prove Roma wrong for letting him go, and reward the Reds for the faith shown in acquiring his services. Another Roberto Di Matteo, rather than Xabi Alonso, may appear given a run in the side, but this time at Anfield instead of Stamford Bridge.

Can Aquilani join Di Matteo, Vialli and Zola in stamping his name on both Serie A and the Premier League? Reds fans, and Rafael Benitez especially, hope so.

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