Ok, so some of the players mentioned previously were far less talented than Alberto Aquilani, and perhaps fitted the bill at Liverpool less, but looking back, quite what Benitez was thinking taking him to Anfield will remain baffling for many years. The summer of 2009 was an absolutely vital one at Liverpool. They had just come close to pipping Manchester United to the Premier League title, but the departure of the fabulous Xabi Alonso left a gaping hole in the Reds' midfield. A world-class replacement was needed. Instead, Benitez signed a player who was good but far from great, and who hadn't played any football for months at previous club Roma because of an ankle injury. He ended up not making his debut until October 2009, away to Arsenal in the League Cup, and when he did play it was obvious that he lacked the steel and ability of Alonso. He was weak physically, didn't score goals and was often on the periphery of matches. After a hugely uninspiring first season at Anfield, in which he scored just twice in 26 appearances, he was carted back to Italy, joining Juventus on loan. After a year in Turin he then spent 12 months at AC Milan, before returning to Merseyside in 2012. Aquilani tried to impress Rodgers, who had taken over as manager, and prove that he could be a success with the Reds, but the Northern Irishman had made up his mind. He was sold to Fiorentina on a permanent deal, having just made just 28 appearances at Anfield. It was the worst £17.1m Liverpool have ever spent in terms of value for money and, particularly in hindsight, it was the strangest signing they have ever made. Let us know your top 10 in the comments section.Follow Henry Jackson on twitter:@HenryJackson87
