Liverpool manager Roy Hodgson has confirmed that out-of-favour midfielder Alberto Aquilani is set to return to Italy.
The injury-hit Italian has struggled to make an impact after moving to Anfield from Roma in a reported £20million deal last summer, and discussions are under way for him to return to his homeland.
Aquilani was left out of Liverpool’s squad for Thursday night’s UEFA Europa League play-off against Trabzonspor and Hodgson admits he will probably be loaned out to a Serie A side.
Hodgson said: “At the moment we are considering possibly loaning him to an Italian club, but nothing is sure about that yet so I don’t have anything definite to report.
“I didn’t want to use him (against Trabzonspor) just in case the loan goes through, because for Aquilani this year it’s very important that he plays regular football, every week, as the number one man on the teamsheet.
“I can’t promise him that here so if a loan move to Italy could help him in that respect it might be good for all parties.
“It would certainly be what he needs, it would certainly protect the value of the player and when he does return to Liverpool no doubt we will see the Aquilani that we signed before he came here injured last year.”
