By Chris Wright
According to reports in a few of this morning’s papers, Liverpool are set to offload midfield ‘flop’ Alberto Aquilani this summer, after just one injury-strewn season at the club.
Manager Rafa Benitez has apparently confirmed that this season will be Aquilani’s last at Anfield (although no actual quotes are offered in any of the rags) and is now ready to make a massive financial loss on the Italian in order to clear him from the wage bill.
The Daily Mirror goes on to suggest that the 25-year-old could be let go for as low as £7 million and, after only 12 starts, could end up costing Liverpool nearly £1 million-a-match once his £70,000-a-week wages are factored in.
Fiorentina and Juventus are both being linked with summer moves for Aquilani, but both clubs are unwilling to pay anywhere near the fee the Anfield club paid Roma for his services just ten months ago.
Personally, I think Rafa would be foolish to let Aquilani leave – especially at such a dramatic loss – as he has shown a great deal of improvement in a Liverpool shirt over the previous few weeks (I thought he played well against Atletico Madrid in the Europa League t’other week).
The Spaniard is currently presiding over one of the thinnest squads in Liverpool’s recent history, and surely cannot afford to let a player with genuine class and creativity slip through his fingers so readily?
So, the question goes out. Are Liverpool right to cut their losses on Aquilani and put the money towards bringing in a replacement with a less ominous injury record? Or is he worth another season, given his recent on-field improvements?