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LIVERPOOL, England: Alberto Aquilani intends to make up for lost time by playing a crucial role as Liverpool look to salvage their season.
Having scored his long-awaited first goal for the club in Monday's 4-1 win over Portsmouth, Aquilani is desperate to make his presence felt between now and the end of the season.
The Italian international's first year in English football has been blighted by injury to such an extent that, almost eight months after his 17-million-pound move from Roma, the Portsmouth game was only his fifth start on the Premier League stage.
But Aquilani insists his injury problems are now behind him and is anxious to play an influential role as Liverpool's season reaches a critical stage.
Rafa Benitez's stuttering side must overturn a 1-0 deficit when they entertain Lille in the deciding leg of their Europa League last 16 tie at Anfield on Thursday before facing Premier League leaders Manchester United at Old Trafford on Sunday.
Aquilani has been used sparingly by Benitez since recovering from a serious ankle injury but he has declared himself fit and available as Liverpool battle to secure a top-four finish in the league and a place in next season's Champions League.
"When I arrived I said I wanted to score in front of the Kop and I'm really happy to have done so," said Aquilani.
"The main thing is that the team played well against Portsmouth and won, though.
"I have had to wait a long time and it has been a difficult season for me, arriving with an injury, but I have felt ready to play for a long time.
"My chance came against Portsmouth but the main reason I am happy is because we won, we scored four goals and we played well.
"It has to be the start of a run to the end of the season. We played well, so we are happy, but now we have a very difficult game on Sunday.
"Is that the real Alberto Aquilani? I don't know. Every player can always do more, can't they?"
Aquilani insists he is fitting into Liverpool's system and believes he is developing a useful understanding with Liverpool's 15-goal striker Fernando Torres.
"Fernando is a great player, and so is Steven Gerrard, so it is easy to play with them and all of the other players, too," added Aquilani.
"I do feel I can work well with Fernando." - AFP/fa
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