Aquilani was happy at Anfield

(GSM) – Alberto Aquilani has revealed that he keen on remaining at Liverpool before Juventus offered him a chance he could not reject.

The former Roma playmaker joined the Bianconeri’s on loan for the season with the Italian club having the option to sign the the midfielder on a permanent deal.

A combination of fitness concerns and Rafa Benitez’s reluctance to place his faith in the player saw Aquilani restricted to only nine league starts last season, but the Italian felt he was getting to grips with the demands of the Premier League.

Though he was prepared to remain at Anfield, Aquilani says he could not refuse a move to the Bianconeri once Juve made their interest known.

“It was really fast, a blitz,” Aquilani told Tuttosport. “One day I was speaking with [Roy] Hodgson and we were discussing Liverpool’s season and three days later I found myself having a medical in Turin.

“Liverpool counted on me and in the end I would also have stayed because at the end of last season I was getting in gear physically and I had played the last eight games of the campaign.

“The fans had started to show me affection. Then this opportunity arrived and I didn’t even need a minute to think about it. Liverpool wanted to only send me on loan, but [Juve general director, Beppe] Marotta insisted to have the option to buy.”