FABIO AURELIO

Left-back Fabio Aurelio became the first Brazilian to sign for Liverpool in July 2006.

The number 12 has immense technical ability but his Anfield career has so far been blighted by injury.

Aurelio came through the ranks at Sao Paulo, making his first-team debut in 1997.

He represented Brazil at under-17, under-20 and under-21 level, as well as at the 2000 Olympics in Sydney.

The defender moved to Spanish side Valencia in 2000, working under manager Hector Cuper for a year until Rafa Benitez took the reins.

The 2001-02 season saw Aurelio help Valencia win their first title in 31 years.

From there he established himself as one of La Liga's best left-backs, bagging 10 goals during the 2002-03 campaign.

The following year brought another league title as well as the UEFA Cup, though a broken leg meant the Brazilian defender managed just two games.

Having fulfilled his six-year contract at the Mestalla, Aurelio joined Liverpool on a Bosman free in July 2006.

He made his debut as a substitute in the Community Shield victory over Chelsea on August 13, though a series of injuries would restrict him to 25 games in his first year on Merseyside.

The full-back's season was ended prematurely when he ruptured his Achilles' tendon during a Champions League quarter-final victory over PSV.

After five frustrating months on the sidelines, Aurelio made his comeback as a second-half substitute when Liverpool opened their 2007-08 European campaign in Porto.

A string of impressive performances followed until injury once again meant he saw out the campaign in the treatment room.