Steve McManaman has urged Liverpool fans to be patient with Alberto Aquilani.

The Italian international is on the verge of being available for Rafael Benitez for the first time since he moved from Roma in a £20million deal, and he is being billed as Xabi Alonso’s replacement.

“We have to be careful here,” warned McManaman. “Every single Liverpool fan hopes Aquilani will be the answer and he’s got a good reputation. But he’s been injured a long time.

“Everybody wants him to hit the ground running and be fantastic from day one, which is going to be very difficult for the lad. He’s only young. Let’s hope he is the wonderful player we all want.

“But I don’t think we should put undue pressure on him. Any foreign player coming into this country deserves a little time to gel with their teammates and get used to the new style of football.

“It’s such a tough and aggressive league. Liverpool have lost a fantastic player in Alonso. I was disappointed to see him go and he won’t be easy to replace.”

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