Aquilani injury latest

Rafa Benitez today revealed how Alberto Aquilani is edging ever closer to making his Liverpool debut.

The Italian international has not figured for the Reds since completing a transfer from AS Roma in August due to an ankle injury, but the 25-year-old began light training at Melwood last month.

Benitez is delighted with the progress Aquilani has made in his recovery - though the manager admits he will err on the side of caution with the fitness of Anfield's new No.4.

"I have been speaking to the doctors and things are going well with him," said the Reds boss.

"Alberto is progressing all the time. It could be two to three weeks before he is back.

"But we need to use caution. If it is two weeks everyone will say 'that is fantastic' but if it is three, everyone will say it is not a problem. I think that we have to be careful.

"We will take it one step at a time and we have the international break to look forward to now. That will be good for him, as he will have some more time (to recover without missing any games)."

Benitez added: "He is running and swimming - I think he will have the record in the swimming pool by the end of his programme - and he is working in the gym.

"He is doing almost everything and he is doing some things with the team. The only thing he is not doing is kicking a ball - not yet anyway."