Liverpool's Latest Addition Aquilani Sidelined For Two Months - Report

Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez will have to wait to see his latest recruit Alberto Aquilani in action, as the Italian international is continuing his recuperation from surgery he had in May.

Aquilani joined from Roma this week for a fee believed to be in the region of £20m. The 25-year-old passed a medical and signed a 5-year deal with the Reds and is believed to be earning around £80,000-a-week, but the midfielder will have to spend a considerable amount of time with the physio before he can don the famous Liverpool shirt.

Recovering from his ankle surgery, Aquilani is said to be out "four to eight weeks," leaving Benitez to rely on the likes of Javier Mascherano and Lucas Leiva to deputise in midfield.

Aquilani has an infamous reputation for injuries, and at Roma he was cruelly labelled by fans as 'Swarovski' due to his constant physical problems. In the last three seasons Aquilani has made just 13, 21 and 14 league appearances respectively due mainly to injuries.

Liverpool have signed Alberto Aquilani from Roma in the wake of Xabi Alonso's move to Real Madrid, and Reds gaffer Rafael Benitez is only too keen to hype the Italian midfielder.

"For the final pass, Aquilani has more accuracy than Xabi," Benitez told a press conference.

"We tried very hard to keep Xabi, but he made it clear he wanted to go and we have to defend Liverpool. We are professionals. He had a fantastic year, but he wanted to go."

However, many keen followers of the Anfield giants are worried about Aquilani's fitness - something which doesn't overly concern ‘Rafa’.

"We know he had some problems with his ankle, but the doctors analysed him and I am 100 per cent sure he will do well here," he said.

Looking over his shoulder at this season's potential breakthrough side - free-spending Manchester City - Benitez believes that the money Liverpool have spent is justified, and that more needs to go on another attacking option as soon as possible.

"Man City are spending money; we had to bring in quality, and [Glen] Johnson is a good player," he said of 'Pool's new right-back. "We will now look for someone to help [Fernando] Torres and [Steven] Gerrard.

"The idea of winning the Premier League every year is hard. City are doing really well because they are signing players with Premier League quality, so they will be a threat to us and Manchester United."

Looking forward to his side's first league game against Tottenham Hotspur, the boss hopes that his injury doubts recover in time, and is aware that former Reds, Peter Crouch and Robbie Keane, will be keen to haunt him.

"Gerrard is OK and Martin Skrtel is working hard. We have to be ready for the first game,” he said.

"Crouch and Keane are good players and good luck to them... but not when they play against us!

"Tottenham are a good team and Harry [Redknapp, Spurs boss] has done a good job. They, Aston Villa and City will be tough this season. We want to win things, but we have to start with Tottenham and three points."