Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez is hoping midfielder Alberto Aquilani will flourish if he is given more freedom and less responsibility. The £17million summer signing from Roma has had an indifferent start to his Anfield career as an ankle injury prevented him from making his Barclays Premier League debut until early November.
His appearances since then have been fleeting and mostly from the substitutes' bench, leading to criticism Benitez had bought a player unsuited to English football.
In Sunday's 4-0 win at Burnley Aquilani played in captain Steven Gerrard's usual position as the advanced midfielder just behind the striker and his passes set up Gerrard's second and Maxi Rodriguez's maiden Liverpool goal.
"It is an option. He can play in both positions," said the Liverpool boss when asked if the Italian had a future in a more advanced role.
"In the first year, especially because he has been injured for a long time, to manage him and find the right position for him was not easy because the Premier League is very strong and physical.
"But in this position he has freedom and with Gerrard behind him they can pass to each other.
"Aquilani can pass the ball and when the game is open like in the second half (against Burney) he can move and give good assists."
