Alberto Aquilani will certainly make his long-awaited Liverpool debut against Arsenal in the Carling Cup tonight.

The former AS Roma midfielder has been unable to make a first team appearance for the Reds since arriving in the summer because of ankle injury but he is finally fit enough to take his place in Rafael Benitez's squad.

"We can see in every training session that he has quality, game intelligence and good movements.," said Benitez.

"He is a different kind of player for us. We talk about using Steven Gerrard deeper sometimes but in Aquilani we have a player who can play there and pass really well in the final third.

"Alberto's improving his fitness, so he's in the squad. He cannot start yet but he will be there and maybe we can give him some minutes."

Aquilani admitted it had been tough since arriving from Rome but said he was ready for action and to repay the faith Liverpool has already shown him.

"I want to thank all the players and the people at the club because they have all been very helpful to me since I arrived here. And as Andrea Dossena is here and speaks Italian, he has helped me, but I want to thank every player," Aquilani said.

"It has been difficult but now I want to build up my confidence and I hope to bring out the best of my game here."