Agent: Aquilani never ranted at Roma
The agent of Liverpool midfielder Alberto Aquilani has refuted reports that the player criticised former club Roma's medical staff.
The 25-year-old joined the Anfield outfit earlier this summer in the wake of Xabi Alonso's departure to Real Madrid, but has been unable to make his debut after undergoing ankle surgery.
Having been carefully nursed back to full-fitness, the Italian could be set to make his Liverpool bow against Sunderland on October 17.
And he was quoted by Il Corriere Dello Sport on Tuesday slamming the treatment-table methods of the Stadio Olimpico side, hinting that the Giallorossi often rushed him back to match action when not fully fit.
"I changed many doctors at Roma and there was never any consistency in the treatment to cure me," he was quoted as saying.
"I have noted a big difference here [at Liverpool]. From the first moment I was told I would not be rushed back into action to avoid further problems.
"Now I cannot wait to put all my physical problems behind me."
However, the player's representitive, Franco Zavaglia, insists the words never left Aquilani's mouth, and were completely fabricated.
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"Alberto has never spoken to the media since his unveiling at Liverpool," he told Tuttomercatoweb.com.
"He grew up at Roma and he will always be tied to the club and its medical staff.
"The papers have invented these things, which have no connection with reality."
Gregg Davies is the Chief Sub Editor of FourFourTwo magazine, joining the team in January 2008 and spending seven years working on the website. He supports non-league behemoths Hereford and commentates on Bulls matches for Radio Hereford FC. His passions include chocolate hobnobs and attempting to shoehorn Ronnie Radford into any office conversation.