Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez has explained his treatment of Alberto
Aquilani and promised he will pick the midfielder when the time is
right.
Benitez splashed out £20million on Aquilani in the
summer as a replacement for Xabi Alonso, who was sold to Real
Madrid.
However, the Italy star has played less than 10 games for the
Reds and is not holding down a regular first-team berth even after
reaching full fitness.
"When you have been injured for a while, it's not easy for a
player," said Benitez.
"Then when you are available and the team isn't doing well,
it makes it even more difficult.
"You have to decide if you can afford to give him two or
three games when you know he's maybe not at the level he could be,
so you could end up losing some of them.
"Alberto isn't stupid. He knows the priority now has to be
the team and what's best for that. All he can do is keep training
and making sure he is ready when we need him."
Benitez dismissed claims that Aquilani did not play in the
recent game at Wolves because of their pitch.
"When I didn't play him at Wolves, it wasn't to do with the
state of their pitch," he continued.
"It was because of the kind of game and because others were
available, which meant we could manage in a different way. So
whether I play him at Wigan or not isn't a decision that will be
determined by the pitch.
"But we have had a conversation about things and he knows the
situation. Alberto is a very good professional, who was a big name
in Italy, and he wants to show his quality here.
"When you're like that but cannot play for three or four
months and then you're available but can't play because the team is
maybe doing really well or has problems, it's a difficult situation
for any professional."
Speaking in Italy, Aquilani's agent insisted the 25-year-old
was still committed to his English switch.
"Alberto made a decision of a lifetime," said Franco
Zavaglia.
"He is fine at Liverpool and next year will be the most
important for him."
