Current Sporting CP central midfield talent, Alberto Aquilani says the departure of former Liverpool tactician; Rafael Benitez made life at the club tougher for him.

The Italy International played at Italian club side AS Roma in the 2002/2003 season before moving on loan to Triestina for a short while but returned to the club. He made a switch to The Reds for 15 million Pounds in the 2009/2010 season as he was hitting decent form. He played for Liverpool for a season before being shipped off on loan to Juventus in the next season. He returned to Anfield after his loan spell before being sent on another spell with AC Milan. He returned after his Milan spell but was eventually sold off to Fiorentina in the 2012 season. He has played there until his move to Sporting CP this season.

Alberto Aquilani has played in many Italian and European clubs, but the club where he moved the first steps as a footballer is AS Roma. Aquilani who is a product of the giallorossi academy explained to Sky Sport Italia why his former club should extend Totti’s deal for at least one more season. He said:

“I think AS Roma will make the right thing extending Totti’s contract.

“The only doubt was about Francesco’s physical conditions, but he has been proving that he’s fit still eligible to play at a high level,” he added.

On leaving Liverpool, the veteran defender said:

“It was a complicated year, with many injuries and then Benitez and [Eduardo] Macia, who took me to Liverpool, were gone and it became even more difficult for me.

“There is disappointment with how it went, but that’s okay; I experienced a great culture and lived in a nice city,” he said on an endnote.