Former Liverpool midfielder Alberto Aquilani claims that his biggest regret in his career will not be performing for the Premier League outfit.
Aquilani was signed by former manager Rafa Benitez for £ 20 million and he was expected to be a statement of intent by Liverpool after years of struggle. However, they were bringing an injury prone player with undoubted talent. Benitez was confident that Liverpool would be able to solve the injury problems of Aquilani due to the heavy scientific methodology adopted at Liverpool back then. However,even those failed to make a mark on the player.
After one disappointing season at Anfield, he was later loaned out to clubs like Juventus and it ended up being a permanent move for the Italian international. Now playing with Portuguese outfit Sporting CP, Aquilani claims that he will forever regret the time at Liverpool. The Italian admitted that injuries were a major factor in his inability to contribute much before the Premier League team. As he tried to return to the first-team, niggling injuries meant that he was never able to perform at his 100%.
Ironically, the club managed of one of their best league finishes after Aquilani joined the team but the Italian did not have a great role to play in the second place finish.
“Definitely yes. It was a complicated year, with many injuries and then Benitez and [Eduardo] Macia, who took me to Liverpool, were gone and it became even more difficult for me.There is disappointment with how it went, but that’s okay; I experienced a great culture and lived in a nice City,” said Aquilani. The player’s agent has been recently talking about a potential return to Italy. However, lack of interest could force him to look at opportunities in foreign leagues like the MLS.