• Premier League

Benitez bemoans injury-prone Aquilani

ESPNsoccernet staff
April 3, 2010
Alberto Aquilani has played just one full Premier League game for Liverpool © Getty Images
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Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez has launched a thinly-veiled attack on Alberto Aquilani over the Italian's frequent injury complaints.

Aquilani, a £20 million summer signing from Roma, claims he has injured the same right ankle which delayed the start of his Anfield career, but Benitez thinks the problem may be psychological.

Benitez, whose Liverpool side lost 2-1 to Benfica on Thursday while Aquilani was sidelined, said: "He was complaining of pain in his ankle and said he couldn't train.

"We'll have to talk with the doctors to see what's going on because at the moment we don't know. He has some pain and we will just analyse that with the doctor. It's the same ankle he did before.

"Some players maybe can manage with the pain, but some - when they have pain - cannot. When you talk of pain you never know, it depends on each individual and that makes it really difficult."

Benitez has tried to protect Aquilani since his return from surgery in the summer but the midfielder has made just eight starts all season.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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