Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez says the suspension of Javier Mascherano opens the door for Alberto Aquilani.

Benítez admits the Italian's recovery period contradicted medical advice Liverpool received before signing the midfielder.

"We spoke to three different doctors and the worst-case scenario was that he would be out for two months," he said. "It has been more because he is a person and each person reacts in a different way to injury. He wants to play and we have to manage different players in a different way. A lot of people are talking about him.

"We know he is a big signing for us and we want to protect him because he hadn't the match fitness he needed. But with Mascherano not available he will have more opportunities."