Davvo

I can understand it tbh, holding him back hoping we get to a point where there's nothing in the game and he can come on and ease into it. What's odd though is that he appeared to be coming on yesterday at 0-0, and then sat down, maybe just mis-communication I guess.

Always liked and respected Pleat. Doesn't always come across as eloquent, or TV trained, but he clearly knows football. Makes me more confident in the way Aquilani's been handled tbh. Not the first comment that suggests confidence in the strength of that ankle is the paramount concern ? A good game Wednesday, with plenty of adulation from those in attendance, and hopefully he'll be somewhere near.

From Rafa's comments, I'd say he's worried more about the status of the game, than the quality of the opposition. In that regard, it's more likely he plays him Wednesday, hoping to get him right for the more important games to come.

not sure they've actually played have they ? at least not in a week where he wasn't involved on the bench for the 1st team.

Interesting, and highly believable. Just shows doesn't it, we live in a World where we can get anything we want NOW, and it makes it so so difficult to understand when things don't just happen the way we expect, and in the timeframe we believe to be acceptable. I don't blame anyone, myself included, for being overly anxious about wanting to see the fella play, but patience as they say, is a virtue. If we were winning games and/or playing well, there'd be more patience, no doubt. The situation is what it is, let's just hope he's able to show what he can do, and gain some confidence in that ankle, on Wednesday night.

That'll fill him with confidence

possibly. says more about his priority in a game like today really, 1 point better than none.

Quote's from Rafa BBC Live footie chat thingie 1805: Benitez adds that Alberto Aquilani is fit and might start against Fiorentina on Wednesday. "Although I think he really suits sitting on our bench," he does not add. Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez after the draw at Blackburn: "It was a difficult game and we had some good chances, we could have scored. I'm disappointed because we couldn't win but positive because we kept another clean sheet and we're playing better. The team is doing well and we will have chances if we continue playing at this level."

Not sure I've seen any over the top expectations anywhere really. Just a lot of people eager to see what a £17 million midfielder with a creative footballing brain, can add to our side. noone's saying he's Zidane, or maybe I missed something, but quite clearly he's a talented lad who can, and should, improve us. The expectation has grown due to the increased time it's taken to get him out there, and our poor form, can't blame any fan for that surely.

Not according to Rafa. He has simply stated that there has not been a suitable game situation, in which he felt comfortable throwing him on. He clearly is ready to play some part, but not start, because he hasn't yet played enough minutes, which he can't do because he would be too much of a risk to our solidity in midfield. I didn't expect to see him today unless we were a couple up, fully expect him to start midweek though. The consequences of him not being fit enough to last 90 are not an issue in a game with less riding on it than a reserve game(in terms of competition, finance is another issue entirely).

I don't think you could be more wrong there really. I'm not saying he's going to be our saviour or anything, but he's exactly the type of player we are missing, and exactly the type of player that can turn a frustrating 0-0 into a 0-1* *away from home obviously

Satisfies my questions. He's being cautious with him, and it's understandable why. Based on what he's said there, it would seem most likely that his first start is going to be Fiorentina. If no problems and he lasts the course, then I guess he should start seeing more action from there on in. Bench again for Saturday I imagine, and stay there unless we build a good lead ?

I must admit, the other night I took one look at the pitch and thought "keep him under wraps", but when he came on for a minute or two as the time wasting sub, I kind of thought maybe that wasn't why he was held back. If that was the case, would rafa not have thrown on Spearing to jog up and down for a minute or so ? Maybe it's just the modern day world of everything being in the public domain 24 hours a day, but I feel as though if I knew exactly what the philosophy was for Aquilani, I could calm down and accept it

Sorry, I think you misunderstood what I was saying there. I'm on record as saying that if he's not fit then he's not fit and we must therefore trust the medical staff and Rafa to play him when he's ready. I was just pointing out, in general, that playing it safe is not necessarily the best way to protect a 1-0 lead. I will also state, though I shouldn't have to, that doesn't mean "let the shackles off" or "go gung ho" is right either. I think you need to accept that people are allowed to occasionally be critical of the manger's decision's, it doesn't mean you are critical of him as a whole. It's just opinion's mate, and the easiest thing of all is to say "trust the manager" in response to any criticism of a decision. It really doesn't make you a better person or fan. I don't think there's anything wrong with people questioning the boss on this one, it's understandably confusing, and natural to wonder just how he's going to get his match fitness, and why it's taking so long to go from full training to getting some serious minutes on the pitch. As I said though, I'm not saying he SHOULD be playing, I just wonder how it is that he's not.

it was this that almost resulted in a s**** team who'd hardly threatened all game equalising. We had 7 defensive minded players on the pitch, that should be sufficient.

I'd rather see him in for Lucas to be honest. There might be an argument for moving Stevie to the right to give Derek a breather which he seems to need, but I think with Johnson back and Aquilani playing, we'll see a better Derek too.

It is puzzling me, but I'm sure there are reasons which we are unaware of, there must be. He has to be fit to a degree after a month or so of training fully,and to be worthy of a slot on the bench. To not start him, we can only assume he must just not be "match fit", but how is he going to get match fit ? 15/20 minute cameo's wont do that, to me there must be some other reason that he's not featuring more. maybe the doc's want his ankle stronger before he plays 45 minutes or more ? Perhaps he'll start in Debrecen ? Throwing him in for the Derby would be a helluva baptism, aswell as an obvious injury risk. Or maybe he's holding him back til that game's out the way, I have no idea, but I'm sure rafa's doing what's best.

I agree, I'd have liked to see him. Only Rafa can tell you if/when/how he planned to use him, but it's pretty clear to anyone that once he was forced into 2 early subs, the likelihood of him coming on at all got very small. I'd still have put him on instead of Aurelio.

That's not what mm said is it ? I thought their point was that he would have had more of a chance to get on if Rafa had more than 1 tactical substitution available to him. I imagine(hope) he intended to give him half an hour at least, regardless of how the game was going, but the 2 forced early subs changed that plan.

Evading the yard dog's leg breakers would certainly improve his match sharpness. If that's his first start I'll be watching through my fingers to be honest. Just bad timing though I guess, I think we need him as soon as he's able.