London: Alberto Aquilani and Fernando Torres could give Liverpool a double boost in their bid to end a disappointing Champions League campaign with their 100th victory in the competition.
The five-times European champions entertain Fiorentina in their final group match on Wednesday knowing they cannot reach the last 16, a huge disappointment for the club's fans in a competition that has provided them with great memories.
But manager Rafa Benitez plans to appease the supporters by giving Italian Aquilani his first start while striker Torres, who has missed the last five games with a groin injury, could come on as a substitute.
Aquilani, a 20 million-pound ($32.65 million) signing from Roma this year, has made just three substitute appearances totalling 22 minutes and his father has told British newspapers that the midfielder has been fit to play.
"Don't ask me about his father," Benitez told reporters on Tuesday.
"He was quoted today in the press and I was talking with Alberto. He was surprised and couldn't believe it.”
"I think he knows why he hasn't played too much so far. When you have a player who has been out for a long time you need to keep building and keep working with him.”
"It would have been very difficult for him, a player who has been injured for a long time, to play in our recent games against Everton or Blackburn.”
"We were trying to give him the right moment, but the games were very tough and tight. But now is the right moment."
Liverpool face Arsenal in the Premier League on Sunday.
Bureau Report
First Published: Tuesday, December 08, 2009, 23:27