Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher has had his say on Rafa Benitez's purchase of Alberto Aquilani to replace Xabi Alonso at Liverpool. The ex-Red has said that Aquilani was 'never good enough' to fill the gap that Alonso left.
Liverpool, and then manager Rafa Benitez,signed Aquilani for £17m from Italian side Roma to fill the gap that Alonso left when he signed for La Liga giants Real Madrid. However, the move never really worked out well for the Italian and he could not live up to the standards of Xabi at all.
Carragher has been speaking to theDaily Mailabout the Aquilani transfer:"Alberto Aquilani, Xabi's replacement, arrived from Roma with an injury ” he didn't play until October 2009 ” and he wasn't good enough to fill the void."
In nearly three years at the club the 32-year-old only played 28 games in all competitions, because of injuries and him not being good enough, so he got shipped out on loan.
Jamie Carragher also spoke about how he, Gerrard, Alonso and Torres had an incredible understanding together and Aquilani just couldn't replicate that:
"The way our team functioned broke down. At a basic level, I would give the ball to Xabi, he would pass it on to Stevie (Gerrard) and the final ball would go to Fernando Torres. It was quick passing, Xabi's impeccable touch made it all come together, but Aquilani was never able to have the same input."
He also said: "The team suffered in what proved to be Benitez's final year.
"Xabi's departure affected everyone."
Xabi Alonso was a huge influence in the centre of the Liverpool midfield and it's fair to say that Alberto Aquilani didn't have anywhere near the same impact as the Spaniard.
The current Bayern Munich player has had an incredible career playing for Liverpool, Real Madrid and Bayern and he will be remembered as one of the best.
Aquilani on the other hand is currently playing forSassuolo on loan fromPescara in the Italian league trying to prove to people why Liverpool did sign him.