OUR NEW BOY IN 10 FACTS
Sean Bradbury 07 August 2009
Having passed a medical and agreed a contract with Liverpool, here are ten things you need to know about Alberto Aquilani.
Alberto is a Roman centurion, having made 147 appearances for the
club he has supported since he was a boy. He celebrated his 100th
game for Roma in style, scoring a 35-yard screamer in a 2-0
victory at Palermo in the opener of the 2007-08 campaign. The Roma fans nicknamed their hometown hero 'Il Principino' or 'the little prince'.
England boss Fabio Capello was in the hot seat at Roma when
Aquilani took his Serie A bow, aged just 18, in a 3-1 victory against
Torino on 10 May 2003. Roma were runners-up in Serie A on four occasions while Aquilani
was at the club, but they won the Coppa Italia twice and the
Supercoppa Italiana once with him on the books.
The new Kop star was so nearly the hero in the 2006 final of the
Supercoppa Italiana, bossing the first half and scoring two
well-worked team goals before his side somehow threw away
their 3-0 lead and lost a classic encounter 4-3 to Inter Milan. 
Aquilani will become the third Italian player to represent
Liverpool under Rafa Benitez. As well as current Reds full-back Andrea Dossena, goalkeeper Daniele Padelli made one start in a 2-2 draw against Charlton in May 2007 during a six-month loan spell.
Alberto has tasted Champions League action for Roma against Chelsea, Arsenal and Manchester United, but he was not involved when his former club slumped to a heavy 7-1 defeat at Old Trafford on 10 April 2007. As well as boasting 20 caps and five goals for Italy U-21s, Alberto has represented the senior Italian side 11 times. He scored a brace for his country in a World Cup 2010 qualifier against Montenegro on 15 October 2008. Speaking about the game, Aquilani said: "I couldn't ask for anything more. It was the most beautiful night of my life."
Alberto is engaged to 20-year-old Italian actress Michela Quattrociocche, who shot to fame following the success of her 2008 debut film 'Scusa Ma Ti Chiamo Amore' ('Sorry If I Love You'). Born on 7 July 1984, 25-year-old Alberto shares his birthday with former Beatles drummer Ringo Starr. Liverpool's new recruit will be hoping that - with a little help from his friends - he will soon be bringing more silverware to Anfield.
http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/news/drilldown/N165328090807-1940.htm
