Alberto Aquilani given vote of confidence by Roy Hodgson

Liverpool midfielder Alberto Aquilani has been given reassurances about his future at Anfield despite speculation linking him with a move away from Merseyside.

The Italian midfielder endured a problematic first year in England after a knee injury picked up whilst still playing for Roma ruled him out for the first half of Liverpool’s Premier League campaign.

After returning to fitness the 26-year-old found it difficult to adapt to English football and only showed small signs of the talent that brought him to Anfield for a fee of around £20 million.

But Liverpool boss Roy Hodgson has assured Aquilani that he still has a place at the club and hopes to see the best of him in the coming season.

“Alberto has had very positive conversations with Roy Hodgson and he expects to stay for at least another year at Liverpool,” Aquilani’s agent told the Daily Telegraph.

“There are always rumours, but Alberto is enjoying his life in England and he does not want to go anywhere.”

Meanwhile out-of-favour winger Albert Riera has completed a move from Liverpool to Olympiacos for a deal believed to be worth a total of £3.3 million.

The Spanish international failed to hold down a place in Rafael Benítez’s Liverpool team last season and was dropped from the first-team after labelling Liverpool a “sinking ship”.

The 28-year-old had hoped he could rejuvenate his Anfield career under new boss Roy Hodgson but the former Fulham boss saw the Spaniard as surplus to requirements.