Aquilani setback

Alberto Aquilani’s progress to regain full match fitness has hit a problem with the Reds’ new £18million midfielder suffering from a virus.

The Italian international picked up the bug after Liverpool’s midweek Carling Cup exit to Arsenal and could now miss out on a place in tomorrow’s squad for the Premier League clash at Fulham.

However Benitez says he is happy with Aquilani’s progress after recovering from a major ankle injury and hopes the Italian can build on his first appearance for the Reds first team on Monday night.

“In terms of fitness he’s doing well,” said Benitez. “His ankle is coming on well. The problem we have now is that he has a virus, so it will be difficult for him to be available.

“We will see this afternoon how he feels but he was a little bit sick yesterday.

“He wanted to play against Arsenal and was really pleased to go. He wants to go and play against Fulham but we’ll have to decide how he feels.”

As previously reported on This Is Anfield, Rafa Benitez will also be without Johnson and Gerrard this weekend.