Football - Liverpool FC: Alberto Aquilani can handle derby heat, Steven Gerrard

Feb 5 2010 by Ian Doyle, Liverpool Daily Post

STEVEN GERRARD believes Alberto Aquilani is coming to terms with life in English football – and is convinced the Italian can handle the heat of his first Merseyside derby.

Aquilani has been battling to establish himself in the Liverpool side after recovering from the ankle injury that delayed his debut following a £20million arrival from Roma last summer.

The 25-year-old has started Liverpool’s last four home games and created goals for Dirk Kuyt in the recent Anfield victories over Tottenham Hotspur and Bolton Wanderers.

Rafael Benitez now faces a decision whether to retain Aquilani for tomorrow’s visit of Everton in the 213th Merseyside derby.

Such local spats are nothing new to the Italian, who is a veteran of high-octane clashes between Roma and Lazio.

But while Gerrard will verse Aquilani in the unique demands of England’s most famous derby, the skipper has no worries the midfielder will be able to make an impact if required.

“Whether he starts or plays as a sub, Alberto knows what derbies are all about,” said the skipper. “I’m sure he will handle the occasion no problem.

“He will also get help from myself and Jamie (Carragher) to let him know what this game is about in the dressing room. Merseyside derbies are very quick and frantic in the first 15-20 minutes and the tempo and intensity is very high.

“It will be a great game for him to notch his first goal, too. He is improving the more he is playing and training.

“There were always going to be high expectations because of his big price tag. It takes time to get used to the speed and pace of the English game when you come from abroad, but he certainly has the talent.”

Meanwhile, Liverpool co-owner Tom Hicks is considering selling NHL side Dallas Stars as he continues to cut back on his sporting investments.

Hicks Sports Group yesterday confirmed they had hired Galatioto Sports Partners to examine the possibility of securing new investors or selling a majority stake in the Stars, where Hicks has been owner since December 1995.

“While a sale is not a certainty, it is a possibility,” said Jeff Cogen, president of the Dallas Stars.

“Mr Hicks has received numerous inquiries about the team. Those potential investors recognise that the Stars are a success story.

“We have the third best record in the NHL since 1996. If you look at the team, it has been built in the right way – building from within. It’s a role model.”

It is a further sign of the cash-strapped Hicks tightening his financial belt, after last month agreeing to sell his controlling interest in Major League Baseball side the Texas Rangers for a final sale price that could exceed £310m.

And it follows the revelation earlier this week from Liverpool managing director Christian Purslow that Hicks and Anfield co-owner George Gillett must raise £100m of investment by the summer or face being forced to sell the club for significantly less than their £500m valuation.

Indeed, reports in the Unites States claimed yesterday that one of Hicks Sports Group’s lenders is forcing Hicks to sell Dallas Stars because of cash-flow problems at the club since they separated financially from the Texas Rangers last summer.

LIVERPOOL have sold goalkeeper Nikolay Mihaylov to FC Twente for £1.5million

The 21-year-old Bulgarian arrived from Levski Sofia in 2007 but never played for the first team.