| FABIO AURELIO PROFILE
by Dave Usher Date of Birth - 24/09/79
Nationality - Brazilian
Position - Defender/Midfielder
Squad Number - 12
Cost - Free
Club Hons (Lpool) -
Club Hons (other) - Spanish Championship 2002, 2004, UEFA Cup 2004
Intnl Hons -
Other Clubs - Sao Paulo, Valencia |
Fabio became the first Brazilian to sign for Liverpool when he joined on a Bosman transfer from Valencia in the summer of 2006. Rafa Benitez knew all about the player's qualities having coached him during his highly succesful spell at the Mestalla.
Aurelio's time at Valencia was a successful one, but was also marred by injury problems, including a broken leg which ruled him out of most of the clubs 2002 title success. His versatility saw him fill a number of roles at Valencia, including left back, left wing and centre midfield, but his preference is to play as an attacking left full back.
A dead ball specialist, he made a very favourable early impression on his new team-mates at Anfield with his skills in training, and Rafa Benitez even went so far as to compare his passing ability with the great Xabi Alonso.
He struggled to adapt to the pace of the English game initially, and although it was clear he was a talented footballer, his defensive qualities looked to be very suspect early on. He wasn't helped by a string of niggly injuries, but as the season progressed he began to look more comfortable with himself and started to turn in some steady performances.
He excelled at left back in a 2-0 win over Chelsea at Anfield in January, and looked set for a run in the side, especially given the indifferent form of his main competition at left back - John Arne Riise. Unfortunately, another niggling injury put him on the sidelines again. Once fit, he began pushing for a place again, and turned in some encouraging displays which culminated in a brilliant performance against Arsenal at Anfield. Fabio was beginning to look like he could nail down a regular place in the side, but once more injury would strike him down, as a ruptured achilles ended his season and cost him a place in the CL Final.
