The Italy midfielder acquired his first taste of English football with a promising 15 minute run out at the end of the second period.
 
Dani Pacheco gave Liverpool a richly deserved lead with a perfectly executed first-half free-kick in front of watching co-chairman George Gillett.
 
Robbie Threlfall sealed the three points for the Reds as he headed home Pacheco's free-kick late on.
 
John McMahon named Aquilani on the substitutes' bench as Anfield's new No.4 continues to step up his rehabilitation from the ankle injury that has kept him sidelined since his arrival on Merseyside.
 
The Reds' second string started brightly, keen to extend an impressive four match winning run, and Steven Irwin stung the palms of Sunderland goalkeeper Marton Fulop with a drive from distance in the opening exchanges.
 
Soon after, Nikola Saric saw an effort deflected over the crossbar for a corner after some fine build-up play involving Dani Pacheco and Nathan Eccleston.
 
Liverpool went closer still on 11 minutes when Alex Kacaniklic got to the by-line and slipped an inviting ball across the face of goal, which narrowly evaded the lurking David Amoo.
 
A goal for McMahon's team seemed inevitable and it almost arrived on 23 minutes when Sunderland defender Nyron Nosworthy headed Pacheco's cross against his own bar.
 
Livewire Pacheco was instrumental in everything Liverpool did going forward and it was his clever pass that sent Eccleston surging into the area, but the striker's low drive was repelled by the legs of Fulop.
 
At the other end, Robbie Threlfall had to be alert to block Liam O'Mahoney's shot on a rare manoeuvre forward from the visitors.
 
But, in first-half stoppage time, Liverpool finally broke the deadlock - and it came as no surprise to see Pacheco on target.
 
The Spanish youngster stepped-up to clip a sublime free-kick into the top corner from 20-yards and break Sunderland's resistance after David Meyler had fouled Saric.
 
McMahon's men continued to press following the restart, though goalkeeper Martin Hansen was called into action to thwart Nathan Luscombe at close quarters.
 
The custodian was then sent scrambling across his goal line as Robbie Weir drilled an effort inches wide for the Black Cats.
 
Then the moment fans have been eagerly waiting for arrived with just under 15 minutes left to play as Aquilani was sent on for his Reds debut in place of Kacaniklic.
 
His first touch was greeted by cheers from fans inside Prenton Park, and the 25-year-old almost released fellow substitute Jordy Brouwer through on goal, but Fulop was quick off his line to gather.
 
Deployed in a role just off the front two, Aquilani looked assured and composed in possession and gave fans a glimpse of his undoubted ability.
 
Liverpool extended their lead with five minutes remaining when Robbie Threlfall met Pacheco's free-kick with a powerful header that crashed in off the post.
 
It was the perfect end to a good night's work for McMahon's men, with Aquilani's cameo one of several high points.
 
Liverpoolfc.tv man of the match: Dani Pacheco - Lively throughout and instrumental in everything the Reds did in attack.
 
Liverpool Reserves: Hansen, Darby, Threlfall, Ayala, Mavinga, Irwin, Eccleston, Amoo (Weijl 87), Saric (Brouwer 64), Pacheco, Kacaniklic (Aquilani 75). Subs: Mendy, Bouzanis.
 
Sunderland Reserves: Fulop, Kay, Brown, Meyler, Nosworthy, Madden, O'Mahoney (Reed 69), Weir, Murphy, O'Donovan (Ryan Noble 80), Luscombe. Subs: Misiewicz, Hourihane, Liam Noble.