Liverpool have completed the signing of Alberto Aquilani for a fee of £20million from Roma, despite the fact the Italy international faces up to two months on the sidelines with an ankle injury.

The 25-year-old, who put pen-to-paper on a five-year contract worth a reported £80,000-a-week at Anfield on Friday, has not kicked a ball in anger since the Giallorossi's UEFA Champions League exit at the hands of Arsenal back in March.

Aquilani had surgery on his damaged ankle this summer and he will now complete his rehabilitation under the guidance of the Reds' medical staff, with the club admitting that it will be 'between four and eight weeks' before the ace is ready to return to action.

The talented midfielder has been captured by Reds boss Rafa Benitez as a replacement for Xabi Alonso, who finally completed his £30million move to Real Madrid last week.

Aquilani, who becomes Benitez's second big-money signing of the summer following the arrival of Glen Johnson, is expected to watch his new team-mates take on Atletico Madrid in the club's final pre-season friendly on Saturday.