Aquilani offers hope for future

SO it ends as it began, with barely a whimper. But at least Anfield finally caught glimpse of the man they hope can kick-start their team's renaissance.

Liverpool bade farewell to the Champions League with a dismal 2-1 defeat to Fiorentina on an evening when the dreary weather encapsulated the mood around the subdued stadium.

After Yossi Benayoun and Martin Jorgensen traded goals, Alberto Gilardino's injury-time strike - the third Rafael Benitez's side have conceded in this season's competition - condemned Liverpool to consecutive home defeats in Europe for the first time in their history.

This was one of the strangest European nights in Anfield's long history, the first time Liverpool have hosted a game that, in reality, meant nothing.

There was the small consolation of a return to action for Fernando Torres, the Spaniard making a 35-minute cameo as a second-half substitute.

But the main positive on a night of very few was the long-awaited full debut of Alberto Aquilani following his summer capture from Roma.

Benitez had urged fans not to make an instant judgement on Aquilani - who had played just 22 minutes in six weeks before last night.

Starting his first game in almost nine months following an ankle operation and lengthy rehabilitation form various other ailments, the Italian understandably appeared well short of match sharpness.

While the neat touches, clever movement and easy distribution that encouraged Benitez to splash out were all present and correct, it's clearly going to be some time before Aquilani is capable of producing his best football.

That sharpness can only come from playing games. Sunday's visit of Arsenal may be a step too far for the 25-year-old, but with Wigan Athletic and Burnley both also due at Anfield this month, there will soon be opportunities.

At a casual glance Aquilani bears more than a passing resemblance to former favourite Mark Lawrenson.

How Liverpool supporters will hope the Italian proves as much of a success. Aquilani may have arrived too late to rescue this Champions League campaign but there is sufficient time for him to help ensure there will be another next season.

Of course, the competition's recognisable theme that was belted out around the ground before kick-off won't be heard for at least another nine months, with Liverpool having already been consigned to the Europa League with a game to spare.

It was followed moments later by chants of 'Rafael Benitez' from the Kop, a clear indication that while matters haven't gone to plan this season, the manager still maintain the backing of those who actually pay their hard-earned to attend matches.

Going into this game, Liverpool had scored only four goals in the group stage, the same as a certain Michael Owen.

It's a sobering thought, given the paucity of attacking options that have been at Benitez's disposal for much of the campaign.

There was little respite for the Spaniard last night. With Fernando Torres only considered fit enough to make his return on the bench and Andriy Voronin bombed out following the draw in Lyon last month, an illness to David Ngog meant Dirk Kuyt was the only senior forward available to start.

The introduction of Torres on 65 minutes brought the loudest cheer of the night. A niggling groin injury had restricted the Spaniard to only three appearances in the previous two months.

Liverpool struggled to find any rhythm in the first half, and after Daniel Agger had earlier almost sold Diego Cavalieri short with the goalkeeper just reaching the ball ahead of Mario Santana, the visitors fashioned four openings in quick succession around the half-hour mark.

Lorenzo De Silvestri's right-wing cross was headed wide by a stretching Martin Jorgensen before the same player almost cleared the Kop with a dreadful effort after a lightning break.

Two Jorgensen corners then caused consternation in the home defence, Cavalieri first palming over a De Silvestri header and then diving to his right to beat out Riccardo Montolivo's crashing 25-yard volley.

Save a fifth-minute cross from Dossena that neither Kuyt nor Benayoun could quite reach, Liverpool had rarely threatened the Fiorentina penalty area.

So it was somewhat against the run of play when they forged ahead two minutes before the interval, Benayoun getting the slightest of touches to Gerrard's dangerous free-kick from the right to glance a header into the bottom corner beyond Sebastien Frey.

Cavalieri was again called into action shortly after the interval, clutching the ball at the second attempt as Alberto Gilardino threatened at the near post.

Agger was inches away from connecting with another inviting Gerrard free-kick, yet there was no surprise when Fiorentina equalised shortly past the hour, Gilardino teeing up Jorgensen to smash a left-foot finish beyond Cavalieri from 18 yards.

Aquilani made way for debutant Daniel Pacheco on 76 minutes, and the 18-year-old almost made an immediate impact with a fizzing 25-yard shot that forced Frey into a sprawling save.

But it was Fiorentina who had the last laugh, when Stephen Darby lost possession to substitute Juan Vargas, who crossed for Gilardino to tap in and make Liverpool's misery complete.

The challenge now for Benitez is to ensure his team's absence from the Champions League is only for a matter of months rather than years.

This story has been reproduced from today's media. It does not necessarily represent the views or position of Liverpool Football Club.