A group of Liverpool fans have been discussing former defender Fabio Aurelio’s time at Anfield. The Brazilian joined the Reds from Valencia in 2006 on a free transfer and went on to make 134 appearances, before returning to South America with Gremio in 2012 (via Transfermarkt.co.uk).
Once described by Rafael Benitez as the type of player “every manager and every player would be pleased to have in their team”, a recent piece by Joel Rabinowitz for Liverpool.com claims that Aurelio had the potential to become ‘something truly special’ at Anfield.
Rabinowitz also highlights that throughout his six-year stay on Merseyside, Aurelio never strung together a run of more than three consecutive starts in all competitions.
Here’s how some of the club’s supporters have responded to that particular fact.
Wonder if sports science of today would have mitigated some injuries or there could have been more done @StatsSwearwords @MartyLoughran83 be interested in your perspective gents
— Stian Andersen (@sga555) April 21, 2020
08/09 he was superb. Didn’t he get into double figures from left back at Valencia under Rafa one year?
— Anthony Kelly (@footieblog14) April 20, 2020
Some stat that
— Dyl?? (@Dylan_Crampton) April 20, 2020
Could have been a great centre mid as well, had all the tools
— Mickey (@mickcox7086) April 20, 2020
Class player
— Seamy doo (@MccloskeyHargan) April 20, 2020
Would Fabio Aurelio have been as influential as Robertson if he could have stayed fit?
Yes
No
That’s insane
— PV790 (@PV7903) April 21, 2020
One fan even mentioned Fabio Aurelio pocketing Cristiano Ronaldo. Indeed, one example of the Brazilian keeping Ronaldo under wraps is Liverpool’s 4-1 victory at Old Trafford back in 2009, in which the Portuguese attacker only managed to find the net via a free-kick.
Pocketed Ronaldo whenever he played against him.
— ThePoetSeamus (@poetseamus) April 20, 2020
We wouldn’t sign him today, and the stats prove why. He only played 54 games for Valencia in the 3 seasons before we signed him. Now we look for players with durability. He was a great player but his injury problems started before Liverpool.
— Simon Williams (@SimonWilliams81) April 20, 2020
Still fitter than Keita
— Unbearable (@DeanoLFC) April 21, 2020
What do we think?
It’s clear from the above responses that many of these supporters needed reminding of just how unfortunate the player was with injuries. Aurelio scored just four goals during his time with the Reds but did provide an impressive 16 assists.
Looking at his stats, it seems his Anfield career will always be looked back on with an element of sadness and a wondering of what might have been given he was never a regular during his time at Anfield.