AN EX-Liverpool player, who openly admitted he was a “flop”, looks completely unrecognisable after ditching his long-flowing locks.
The 38-year-old was once an £18million player when he left Roma to join Premier League giants Liverpool in 2009.
He went on to play just 28 times for Liverpool, scoring two and assisting six, before being shipped out on multiple loans.
The former midfielder played for Juventus and AC Milan, before sealing a permanent move back to his homeland in 2012 to play for Fiorentina.
Despite being capped 38 times for Italy, he wasn’t shy to admit he was a “flop” at Anfield.
Speaking to the Liverpool Echo, he said: “A lot of people think they spent too much money and never played me so I was a flop.
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“They are right. It’s right. But a lot of things happened behind that.”
He continued: “Liverpool was a big change for me.
“I was a player born in Rome. Player for Roma. Supporter of Roma. For me it was very difficult to leave Roma’
“Liverpool, everybody told me it was the paradise of football. It was the right move.
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“It’s a big club and you have to be focused on the pitch and on the game. I went there with a lot of positivity. John Arne Riise spoke to me about Liverpool and I spoke with Rafa Benitez many times.
“I love English football, I love the style of Liverpool, the fans and also the players. Steven Gerrard was my hero so to play alongside him was a big opportunity.”
Now retired as of 2019, he has moved into management, taking charge of former club Fiorentina’s youth team, and he looks completely unrecognisable.
Once known for his long-flowing locks, he has ditched that look for a short cut on top and he has a beard to go with it.
He is also covered in tattoos, and has a full sleeve on his right arm.
And the mystery footballer can be revealed as… Alberto Aquilani.
Aquilani is as active as ever on social media, and has over 100,000 followers on Instagram.
He is also the president of a football school.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
