Alberto Aquilani is "in contention" for Liverpool for their must-win Boxing Day showdown against Wolves at Anfield, manager Rafael Benitez has said. The £20m Italy midfielder has yet to start a Premier League game for the struggling Merseysiders because of an ongoing ankle injury. That has not stopped Liverpool supporters questioning the under-fire Spaniard for a perceived over-cautious approach to using the 25-year-old former Roma favourite. Benitez has claimed Aquilani could feature in the visit of Mick McCarthy's men now that he has shaken off the calf problem which prevented from playing in the shambolic 2-0 defeat away to Portsmouth last weekend. He said: "Alberto picked up a calf injury in the win against Wigan and was not able to travel to Portsmouth. "He is getting better but we will have to see how he progresses. He is certainly in contention to play against Wolves."