The Italy midfielder played for 76 encouraging minutes, giving fans a glimpse of his abundant talent.

Yossi Benayoun put Rafa Benitez's charges into the lead on the stroke of half time with a deft header from Steven Gerrard's free-kick.

Fiorentina drew level through Martin Jorgensen midway through the second period on the night Fernando Torres made his return to action as a 64^th minute substitute following injury.

But La Viola ensured they will take top spot in Champions League Group E when Alberto Gilardino netted an injury-time winner to claim victory for the Italians.

Leading into the game, Rafa Benitez had spoken of the importance of not only signing off from this season's Champions League on a high note, but also continuing a run that had seen the Reds go six games unbeaten and keep three successive clean sheets.

The manager's team selection reflected this as the likes of Benayoun, Gerrard, Javier Mascherano, Daniel Agger and Dirk Kuyt were included in the starting XI.

Then, of course, there was Aquilani, who was handed his first start for Liverpool since his summer acquisition from Roma.

A lengthy recuperation from an ankle injury has meant - barring a couple of fleeting substitute appearances and a cameo for the reserves - Kopites have had little opportunity to see Anfield's new No.4 in action. Therefore, all eyes were on Aquilani as he took to the field.

The 25-year-old was joined in the starting XI by local youngster Stephen Darby, who too was making his full debut for the first-team, and with Fernando Torres also named on the bench, there was plenty for fans to be vocal about in the opening exchanges.

Aquilani was involved in Liverpool's first chance of the game after five minutes when he burst forward to beat two Fiorentina defenders to the ball and stab it out wide to compatriot Andrea Dossena, whose cross was glanced across goal by the head of Kuyt.

At the other end, the visitors almost capitalised on a weak back-pass from Agger, which was chased down by Mario Santana but Diego Cavalieri, deputising for Pepe Reina, was speedily off his line to avert the danger.

Understandably, the contest was not running at full throttle, though Jorgensen spurned a promising opening for La Viola on 27 minutes when he blazed Gilardino's pull-back high into the Kop from the edge of the area.

While third place had already been confirmed for Liverpool prior to kick-off, Fiorentina were looking for three points to secure a top spot finish in the group, and a succession of corners almost saw the Italians open the scoring just after the half hour mark.

First, Lorenzo De Silvestri sent a towering header towards goal, which was superbly tipped over the bar by Cavalieri. Then a cleverly worked corner routine saw the ball lofted to the lurking Riccardo Montolivo on the edge of the box, but his powerful volley was repelled by the Reds' Brazilian custodian at full-stretch.

Fiorentina were left to rue their missed opportunities as Liverpool broke the deadlock two minutes before the break when Gerrard's out-swinging free-kick from the right was glanced beyond Sebastian Frey by Yossi Benayoun to hand the home side the advantage heading into half time.

La Viola almost forced an equaliser in the opening moments of the second period, but Cavalieri was able to block Gilardino's close-range header.

Back came Liverpool and Dossena sliced a volley into the side netting after Gerrard's initial corner had only been half cleared by the Italians before Marco Donadel did well to divert another flag-kick away from the head of Benayoun.

It was another set piece that should have given the hosts their second on the hour. Gerrard's delivery was again precision perfect, but the unmarked Agger could not extend his dive far enough to nod past Frey - and the Reds were made to pay as Fiorentina helped themselves to an equaliser on 63 minutes.

A counter-attack from the visitors saw Gilardino poke the ball into the path of Jorgensen, and the Dane made no mistake with a composed finish from the edge of the box.

However, Liverpool fans were soon lifted once more as Torres made his long-awaited return to action as a substitute with 25 minutes remaining on the Anfield scoreboard.

Typically the Spain ace was soon involved, seeing a close-range shot blocked by Frey following a corner. The ball broke to Darby within range, but the defender resisted the temptation to try his luck, instead floating a cross back into the area which Gerrard brought down and struck into the side of the net.

Moments later, Torres dazzled two Fiorentina defenders before dinking a cross into the centre, which Dossena was inches away from turning goalwards.

Benitez opted to withdraw Aquilani from the action with 14 minutes remaining, and the midfielder received a standing ovation as he was replaced by another debutant in the form of Dani Pacheco.

The Spanish whiz kid has been in electric form for John McMahon's reserve team this campaign and wasted no time in bringing Anfield to its feet as his clipped shot was palmed around the base of the post by Frey.

Both sides pressed in search of a winner, however Red hearts were broken two minutes into stoppage time as Gilardino converted Juan Vargas' cross from close-range to give Fiorentina victory.