Rafa - Aquilani to excite fans

Aquilani: Set to join Liverpool

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• Roma

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• Alberto Aquilani
• Albert Riera

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Rafa Benitez believes prospective new signing Alberto Aquilani is a player who will excite the Liverpool supporters.

Roma midfielder Aquilani has been earmarked as a replacement for Xabi Alonso after the Spain international completed his protracted move to Real Madrid on Wednesday evening.

Liverpool have agreed a fee, believed to be in the region of £20million, with Roma for Aquilani, who will travel to England later this week to undergo a medical and discuss personal terms.

Benitez is delighted to be bringing Aquilani to Anfield and is confident the midfielder will make a positive impact in the coming season.

Quality

"Roma have allowed us to talk with him, so that's good and positive. He is a player with the quality we are looking for," the Liverpool boss told the club's official website.

"He can play a little bit higher than Javier Mascherano - maybe between him and Steven Gerrard.  

"He has good passing - the final ball is good - and he also works. If he can settle down properly in England he can be a very good addition.  

"I think the signing should excite the fans. He won the U19 European Championship with his country, and U21 too. He has some trophies - including the Italian Cup.  

"I always remember one game - England versus Italy U21s at Wembley, and he was man of the match in a 3-0 win."

Meanwhile, Benitez does not believe Albert Riera suffered a serious injury after being taken off in the 2-0 win over Lyn Oslo on Wednesday night.

He added: "He twisted his ankle, but I don't think it is serious. We had to take him off, but it is always better to be careful with these things."