Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez says summer signing Alberto Aquilani is on the verge of his Reds debut.

Benitez signed the Italian from AS Roma but he has failed to make an appearance for his new club because of an ankle injury, but that is about to change.

"I have been speaking to the doctors and things are going well with him," the Reds boss told the Liverpool Echo.

"Alberto is progressing all the time. It could be two to three weeks before he is back.

"But we need to use caution. We will take it one step at a time and we have the international break to look forward to now.

"That will be good for him, as he will have some more time.

"He is running and swimming - I think he will have the record in the swimming pool by the end of his programme - and he is working in the gym," added Benitez.

"He is doing almost everything and he is doing some things with the team.

"The only thing he is not doing is kicking a ball - not yet any way."