Benitez urges patience with Aquilani

(GETTY IMAGES)

Liverpool fans may be pinning their hopes on Alberto Aquilani leading a revival in the Reds' fortunes, but there is no chance of the Italian midfielder being ready to face Manchester United on Sunday.

Liverpool head into the match at Anfield having lost their last four games - their worst run for 22 years - and with injuries to key players Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres.

Aquilani, the £20million midfielder signed from Roma in the summer to replace Xabi Alonso, played in a Liverpool shirt for the first time on Wednesday in the reserves following ankle surgery.

But Reds boss Rafael Benitez insists the player needs time to settle in even when he is fit enough for the first team - and that is still some time away.

Benitez said: "When will he play? It depends on how he is physically.

"He has got very good levels of stamina but now he has to improve his sharpness. To get match fitness he needs to play games and what we have to do is analyse carefully which game is the best and how long he will play for.

"Always with a new player we talk about the problems they have settling down because the Premier League is very quick and it is more physical.

"So for a new player who has been injured, like Alberto, it will be even more difficult. It is a question of keeping him training and when he is fit, we have to support him.

"We will have to choose the right moments to put him on the pitch. But he is learning all the time and we are looking forward to playing him."

Aquilani himself admitted he still has some way to go.

The Italian told Liverpoolfc.tv: "I am happy to have made my debut. It's been a very long time since I last played.

"Although I only played for 15 minutes, it is good for me and my fitness.

"I know I am not fully fit yet, but I hope to be soon."