Alberto Aquilani Begins to Justify Pricetag Ahead Of Man Utd on Sunday

This is what Benitez paid the money for.

Alberto Aquilani will today be feeling a lot better about himself and his Liverpool career after a man-of-the-match performance helped the Reds to a 4-1 win over Portsmouth.

The league's most troubled club put up little resistance as Liverpool ran riot in a victory that echoed relief around Anfield.

Torres' brace, along with a neatly taken finish from Ryan Babel and Aquilani's first goal for the club, gave a timely boost to Benitez' top four ambitions, although that target is still some way off.

But most importantly, the £20m man from Roma finally laid down a marker with a display that went some way to justifying the outlay last summer.

Aquilani displayed the vision and forward-thinking that has been lost in recent months in the centre of Liverpool's midfield.

With Mascherano and Lucas both more keen on protecting the back four than supporting the front men, the Italian's attitude provided a keen reminder that there is room in the centre of the park for a soldier and an artist.

It was his goal in front of the Kop that defined the 25-year old's evening. With Torres and Gerrard combining down the left, Aquilani drove into the box to fill the gap and was rewarded when the ball fell to him and he gleefully dispatched it into the corner.

It is precisely those type of runs that have been missing and that are reminiscent of the man he came to Anfield to replace.

Yes, Portsmouth were exceptionally poor. But Liverpool have been similarly disappointing in recent weeks.

This was exactly what the Reds needed ahead of what is set to be a huge week in the context of the season. With a deficit to overturn against Lille on Thursday and Manchester United on Sunday, fans will be hoping that Rafa sticks by Aquilani and that he can continue to reproduce this kind of form.