Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez has again defended his signing of former Roma midfielder Alberto Aquilani.

The Italian midfielder, 25, has made just three brief appearances as a sub in the league and a couple more in the Champions League - and that was Liverpool's hopes of qualifying had already perished.

But Benitez predicted Aquilani would come into his own while Javier Mascherano serves a four-match ban.

Benitez said "We know Aquilani is a big signing but we also knew we had to try to protect him.

"When we signed him we got three different opinions from doctors and the worst-case scenario was two months out, more or less.

"He wants to play in every game but he didn't have the match fitness. But with Mascherano out, maybe he will have the opportunities."