Gerrard: Aquilani will be a star

(GSM) – Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard was impressed with Alberto Aquilani’s performance during his side’s 1-2 loss at Anfield against Fiorentina.

The five-time European champions who were already heading for the Europa League lost the game to Group E winners on Wednesday night.

Liverpool were ahead at the break through Yossi Benayoun but an equaliser from Martin Jorgensen and a winner in the second minute of injury time from Alberto Gilardino left the Reds defeated and with their lowest ever tally of points from a group stage.

But there were positives to take from the game, amongst which were the full debut of £20million midfielder Aquilani and the return from injury of Fernando Torres.

Gerrard was impressed with Aquilani but he is aware even the Italian’s display will not wipe away the memory of another night of European misery.

“He did well,” said Gerrard.

“It’s going to take him some time to get up to speed in terms of match fitness but the boy’s a player, there’s no doubt about that.

“He can see a pass, he’s on the same wavelength and he will turn into a fantastic player for this club.”

But he added: “We’re disappointed as a club because we want to stay in the big competitions. We’ve not been good enough, it’s as simple as that.

“I thought we gave a good account of ourselves. We knew there wasn’t too much riding on the game but we went out with a lot of changes to our side and had a go.

“In the end we made mistakes and conceded goals but I thought we were unlucky to lose.”

Boss Rafael Benitez has seen his side concede damaging late goals in both matches against Lyon, and now Fiorentina. That has cost Liverpool dearly as the French and Italian sides move on into the last 16.

Liverpool are destined for the Europa League and, in another blow, they have been told by UEFA they will not be seeded in that competition.