THIS former Liverpool flop is excelling as a coach in his homeland.
The Italian, now 38, has won five trophies in just three years with Fiorentina’s U19 side, including the most recent Super Cup.
That is more than he ever managed in his playing days.
However, Reds fans will not look back on his career in the Premier League with any fondness.
After all, he only played 28 times across two seasons on our shores before he was discarded by Roy Hodgson.
The midfielder came with some pedigree in 2009 as one of Serie A’s best.
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That prompted Liverpool to pay a whopping £20million transfer fee to Roma for his services.
Following three disastrous years in England, the 38-cap Italy star enjoyed loans at Juventus and Milan, before he moved permanently to Fiorentina on a free transfer.
The deal is recognised as one of the worst in the club’s modern era.
But, who is the man who once had longer hair and is now sporting a styled beard?
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It is none other than Alberto Aquilani.
Rafa Benitez brought him to the club in 2009, and he occasionally impressed under the Spaniard.
Most memorably, Aquilani scored in the Europa League semi-final against Atletico Madrid – one of only two he ever scored in.
However, when ex-England boss Hodgson arrived at Anfield Aquilani’s days were numbered.
The now-retired manager preferred Joe Cole in his position, selecting him just twice in the 2010-11 season.
Aquilani has previously revealed that he regrets being considered a Liverpool flop.
“I was on a big contract at Liverpool,” he told the Liverpool Echo.
“Maybe I could have stayed and not played next year. No problem. But I’d never do that there. I tried to find a solution that was good for me and for the club. Always.
“Some players have a big contract and they stay and just run around the training pitch but for me that was no good. (Then director of football Damien) Comolli and the people who were working there can tell you that.
“Milan then came in and don’t pay too much. No problem, I go because I want to play. It’s frustrating because now they remember me as a bad player.
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“They spent a lot of money but I didn’t do too much. It’s frustrating but it’s the reality and I can do nothing about it.”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
