Poster-boy Albert is star attraction

Liverpool supporters have a rich tradition for producing witty banners but, in recent years, they have become rather more profound in one corner of Anfield.

Robbie Fowler, Fernando Torres, Djibril Cisse and Dirk Kuyt, to name a few, have all seen images of themselves at the centre of huge flags with deep meanings and on Sunday, the latest offering was unfurled in the part of the stadium where Centenary Stand meets Kop.
 
Fluttering in the breeze was a picture that is synonymous with Russell Crowe in the hit movie Gladiator, a soldier kitted out in full body armour with the top tier of Rome's Colosseum clearly visible in a dusky background.
 
This particular banner, however, sees Crowe replaced by Alberto Aquilani with the simple, but powerful, declaration alongside it that 'A hero will rise' - tonight Liverpool's £17m midfielder will get his first opportunity to show a wide audience he can become box office in a Red shirt.
 
Having shown great reserves of patience and impressive levels of determination in his battle to overcome ankle surgery, Aquilani will pull on a Liverpool shirt for the first time since completing his move from Roma on August 7 at the Emirates Stadium.
 
The Carling Cup tie with Arsenal has long been in Rafa Benitez's thoughts as a suitable starting point for the man who was known in Rome as 'Il Principino' - the Little Prince - and he will get some minutes on the pitch this evening.
 
A 15-minute run out for the reserves at Prenton Park last Wednesday has enabled Aquilani to blow off some cobwebs, and now the stage is set for one of the most eagerly-awaited debuts in the club's recent history; all eyes are fixed, then, to see if this 'hero' can rise to the challenge.
 
"Alberto will be with us," Benitez confirmed. "He is improving his fitness, so he's in the squad. He cannot start at this moment but maybe, if it's possible, we will try to use him. We can see in every training session he has quality, game intelligence and good movements.
 
"He is a different kind of player for us. We talk about using (Steven) Gerrard deeper sometimes, but maybe in Aquilani we have a player who can play there and pass the ball really well in the final third."
 
Passing the ball will be a prerequisite against Arsenal if Liverpool are serious about progressing and there is no doubt another victory, coming so soon after Sunday's morale boosting success against Manchester United, would do wonders for the squad. 
 
Benitez is likely to blend youth with experience and though star names such as Torres, Yossi Benayoun and Pepe Reina will be given the night off, that will open the door for others to press their claims for regular inclusion.
 
David Ngog, for instance, should get the chance to build on his last-gasp heroics against United, Jay Spearing is likely to be given another opportunity in the centre of midfield, while Ryan Babel may come in from the cold.
 
Yet all that will be a side issue if Aquilani gets on to the pitch and many are wondering what he will bring to this squad; inevitably, comparisons will be made with Xabi Alonso, the man he was brought in to replace.
 
According to a former Red who now resides in the Eternal City, though, Aquilani will relish the challenge of filling Alonso's considerable shoes; Jon Arne Riise played in the same team as the 25-year-old last season and says he exudes star quality.
 
"Alberto is the perfect replacement," said Riise, who spent seven years at Anfield and played in the Reds' last League Cup winning side in 2003. "He talked with me a lot when he got the offer from Liverpool and I told him he had to take it.
 
"When he is fit and ready to play, he will show what he is capable of, I am sure. He is a fantastic player on the ball, very technical. He is different to Alonso but he is the sort of player who can break teams down.
 
"What are his qualities? He is a very good passer of the ball, he runs a lot; he finds space everywhere and he likes to get into the box to score goals. As well as that, he has a good shot and he is a smart player."
 
Riise, whose 347 appearances yielded 31 mostly spectacular goals during his time on Merseyside before moving to Rome, added "When he settles into the English way of playing, he will be very good.
 
"It is way too early to write Liverpool off. No team will run away with (the Premier League title) by 20 points this season and if Liverpool get on a run now, they could go very close. Liverpool are a great team and they will show their true worth."
 
For his part, Aquilani is itching to get started and being inside a baying, swaying Anfield on Sunday, watching his new colleagues tearing into United with gusto, only served to whet his appetite even further.
 
"I really want to play, but I need to be patient - I know the time will come for me," said the man who has taken ownership of the club's number four shirt. "I will be very happy when I make my debut. It's what I am here to do, and I am looking forward to it."
 
This story has been reproduced from today's media. It does not necessarily represent the views or position of Liverpool Football Club.