"I never asked to leave but I was always pushed by the club," Alberto Aquilani told the BBC, adding, "I am here and I would like to play for Liverpool but it doesn't depend only on me. I had a very good talk with Brendan where we were able to share our thoughts and it was a very positive chat. I like his footballing philosophy and I like the mentality he has because it matches my own skills." It may still be hard to imagine him staying at Liverpool this season, but according to the player, "The situation changed after Benitez left. In past years, I felt forced out. I never asked to go on loan but they made it clear it was better for me to go. I think Liverpool people have to know that I have never said I wanted to leave the city because my family and I were not happy here. This is not true."