The Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez was very impressed with Alberto Aquilani’s first 90 minutes for the Reds against Fiorentina in midweek, and Fernando Torres also came through his comeback game unscather, so the Liverpool boss is seriously considering them both starting against Arsenal this weekend, although he added the proviso of saying they will be studied in training on Saturday first.

Benitez said: “It was important for us to have Fernando back in midweek. We wanted to give him some minutes. He was quite sharp and felt okay after the game.

“We know he’s a player who can make a difference, so we will decide in the next training session on Saturday.

“He has been working with the physios and training very hard.”

And will Aquilani be joining him? Benitez replied: “We always try to decide on the day because we want to see how the player trains first, but why not? We have to keep working and we will decide after Saturday’s training session.

“Aquilani showed the quality he has against Fiorentina. The match fitness still has to improve but in terms of his vision, his passing was very good. We will see.

“He is a different type of player to what we have at this moment and we have to keep working with him.”

With those two and captain Steven Gerrard, who has now come through two good matches without feeling any effects from his groin injury, Liverpool could at last have a top class team available for the crunch match against Arsenal.

It’s looking good for Benitez for a change!