Opportunities at Anfield have been limited for the 28-year-old playmaker due to injury and a change of management following his arrival from Roma in August 2009.

Aquilani was given a chance by Rafael Benitez after regaining his fitness, but didn't get a look-in under the Spaniard's successors Roy Hodgson and Kenny Dalglish, spending the last two seasons on loan at Juventus and AC Milan respectively.

However, Rodgers appears willing to give the Italy international a lifeline on Merseyside, but only if the midfielder can show he is up to the task of performing consistently for the Reds over a 38-game league season.

"I had a good chat with Alberto the other day, he's a good guy. It obviously hasn't worked out for him here yet but he's a player with the qualities, in terms of technical and tactical ability, to play," Rodgers said during a press conference on Monday.

"What's going to be important is that the players have the steel and the mindset to play - that's something I'll find out from all the players during pre-season."