Alberto Aquilani has pleaded with Liverpool fans not to expect too much from him, at least not until he has fully recovered from the ankle injury which kept him out of the game for nearly eight months.

The 25-year-old made his first ever start in a Reds shirt on Wednesday evening as Rafa Benitez's men bowed out of the UEFA Champions League with a disappointing 2-1 home defeat to Fiorentina.

One of the few positives of the night though was the full debut of Aquilani, who showed some neat touches and an eye for a pass before receiving a standing ovation from the Kop when he was brought off in the 76th minute.

The former Roma favourite was pleased with his night's work, but insisted that it will take time before he is playing at the level expected of him and that he expects of himself.

"For a football player it is very hard if you haven't played for seven or eight months," the Italian told Sky Sports News.

"If you don't play the fitness is not good and the training is good, but the matches are different and I need to play and if you play more and more I get the fitness."

He also said to Liverpoolfc.tv: "I can play better but it was important to start and to run. I need to play, play, play because I'm in a new team.

"The first half I was okay and then after that a little bit tired, but that's normal. Now I need to work hard in training for my body.

"I hope I can play against Arsenal."