Aquilani set for loan move to Italy

Roy Hodgson is ready to end Alberto Aquilani’s nightmare spell at Liverpool by loaning the Italy midfielder to a Serie A club.

Aquilani has failed to make any impact at Anfield since his 20 million pounds move from Roma last year and Liverpool boss Hodgson is willing to let him return home to rediscover his form.

The 26-year-old was signed by former Reds manager Rafael Benitez as a replacement for Xabi Alonso but his first season on Merseyside was hampered by injuries.

He wasn’t included in Liverpool’s squad for Thursday’s Europa League play-off win against Trabzonspor and Hodgson said: “At the moment we are considering possibly loaning him to an Italian club, but nothing is sure about that yet so I don’t have anything definite to report.

“I didn’t want to use him (against Trabzonspor) just in case the loan goes through, because for Aquilani this year it’s very important that he plays regular football, every week, as the number one man on the teamsheet.

“I can’t promise him that here so if a loan move to Italy could help him in that respect it might be good for all parties.

“It would certainly be what he needs, it would certainly protect the value of the player and when he does return to Liverpool no doubt we will see the Aquilani that we signed before he came here injured last year.”