Ex-Italian international midfielder Alberto Aquilani believes that he's a forgotten man amongst the Liverpool faithfuls and that it could have been different if not for Uruguayan football legend Diego Forlan, a former striker at Manchester United.

Alberto Aquilani talked about his time at Liverpool in an exclusive interview with The Guardian. According to him, his Liverpool career would have changed for the better if not for the goal from Diego Forlan.Alberto Aquilani joined Liverpool from Italian Serie A giants AS Roma in a £17.1m deal in the summer of 2009.

Alberto Aquilani was signed as a replacement for Xabi Alonso, who had left for Spanish giants Real Madrid. Spanish international Xabi Alonso joined Real Madrid from Liverpool in the summer of 2009 and then Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez placed his faith in a certain Alberto Aquilani in his quest to replace the quality of a player like Alberto Aquilani.
Liverpool fans had high hopes for Alberto Aquilani but the ex-Italian international star was unable to show his quality on Merseyside mainly due to injury. Alberto Aquilani had several injury problems at the start of his Liverpool career but was a regular in Rafael Benitez’ team by the time the Reds faced Diego Forlanand Spanish La Liga giants Atletico Madrid in the Europa League semi-finals. Atletico Madrid had a 1-0 advantage from the first leg in Spain before the second leg in England. Liverpool were able to score two goals in the second leg through Alberto Aquilani and Yossi Benayounand were on course to qualify for the Europa League finals until Diego Forlan scored a goal for Atletico Madrid. According to Alberto Aquilani, the away goal from Diego Forlan knocked Liverpool out of the competition. If Liverpool had won their tie, he would have had a very good chance of winning his first trophy against fellow English team Fulham in the Europa League final and that his luck would have changed for the better as a Liverpool player.