Alberto Aquilani tells Liverpool: Aston Villa game is like a cup final

Alberto Aquilani is looking to inspire Liverpool out of their current slump... and book himself a World Cup place in the process.

The £20million summer signing is finally fit and playing, six months after arriving at Anfield, and he is in contention to lead the midfield in a must-win game against Aston Villa this evening.

The Italian has described the game as a "cup final" for his side, and he knows that the showdowns in the next week with Villa and Spurs - two sides who stand above Liverpool in the table - will go some way to defining the Anfield side's season.

Lose, and it could have massive implications for the future not only of manager Rafa Benitez and some of his under-performing players, but also for the club itself, as they continue to search for the new investment required to build a new stadium.

But Aquilani is only thinking of the  victory that could help his side towards the perfect start to 2010, and help him catch the eye of the Italian national team coach Marcello Lippi with the World Cup just around the corner.

"Because of the position we are in, every game is a cup final for us, and especially this one against Aston Villa - it is a hugely important game," the Italian midfielder explained.

"We know it is a very important game for our season, but it is crucial to take things step by step and our aim is now to win three, four and five games in a row. If we can do that, we will be in a much better position.

"We know we have to win this game, but we are feeling much better about ourselves, we are ready to get the three points and we know that if we win we will be much closer to them, which is the most important thing."  

Aquilani is convinced that Liverpool are a much better side than their current position and form suggests, and he is hoping that the victory over Wolves on Boxing Day can provide the confidence to allow them to express that.

The Italian had a quiet full league debut, but showed some neat touches to suggest that he can make up for lost time and finally make an impact at Anfield, after the frustration of yet more injury problems in his first few months at the club.

And he hopes that he can do enough between now and the summer to get Liverpool into the top four, and himself on the plane to South Africa.

"I never stopped thinking about the World Cup. I did so even when under the knife, and I hope I can do enough with Liverpool to try and regain my place, because it would be really important for me," he said.

  "But I know I have to be playing and playing well for Liverpool, and that is what I want to do. It is important that we get ourselves where we should be, because the team does not deserve it's current low standing.

"We've had difficulties, but we will come out of this, we are a much better side than this. The win against Wolves could be the most important thing because it will build some momentum and get our confidence back.

"When you aren't winning or playing as well as you can then you are going to get criticism, that's normal. But we know we have a good squad and good team, and now we have to show it."  

Liverpool are without the suspended Javier Mascherano for the crucial trip to Villa, so Aquilani will figure in some way in the game, though manager Rafa Benitez will wait on the fitness of Fabio Aurelio before deciding whether to drop skipper Steven Gerrard back into central midfield alongside Lucas.