Arsenal vs Liverpool: Alberto Aquilani with New Squad Number; Recalled for Game?

Liverpool's Italian playmaking midfielder Alberto Aquilani could be set for a recall to the first-team squad for a competitive match for the first time in a year after receiving a new squad number for the coming season ahead of Saturday's big Premier League game against Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium.

After donning the No. 4 shirt in his debut campaign and in European qualifiers under Roy Hodgson last season, Aquilani was shipped out on loan to Italian Serie A side Juventus while new signing Raul Meireles took possession of the No. 4 jersey.

Upon returning to Anfield this summer, Aquilani had no official number allocated to him and played through the preseason in a variety of shirts, including Steven Gerrard's No. 8, who was missing with injury.

As he was not included in the opening match-day squad against Sunderland, there was still no number handed to Aquilani—but he has now been given the No. 15 shirt, worn most recently by Yossi Benayoun ahead of the visit to Arsenal.

With no definitive team news yet to come out of Anfield on which players made up the travelling party, it remains to be seen whether Aquilani actually will be involved, but receiving a new squad number is a strong indication that he could take some part and indeed may even be remaining at the club after the closure of the transfer window following from weeks of speculation about possible moves to the likes of Fioretina or Juventus.

Karl Matchett will be providing live text commentary coverage of the Premier League game between Arsenal and Liverpool this weekend, along with every other Premiership fixture on that day. Become his fan now to easily find the commentary on Saturday from 12:30pm UK / 7:30am ET.