Fabio Aurelio believes Liverpool can draw on the experience of Valencia's title-winning success of 2002 in their quest for Premier League glory.
With Rafa Benitez at the helm, the unfancied La Liga side overcame the might of Barcelona and Real Madrid to claim their first championship in 31 years.
It's this triumph that Aurelio, who made 15 league appearances for Los Che during the campaign, feels the Reds can learn from.
"We were running from the back in 2001 and that was good for us," said the 29-year-old.
"Nobody is expecting you to fight for the title so you don't have the pressure that the teams at the top of the table have – to win every game.
"If you're top, you have to win, or otherwise you come down one position, or two positions. That was good for us at Valencia and maybe there are lessons for us now at Liverpool."
The Brazilian full-back fondly recalls a half-time team-talk from Benitez during a clash with Espanyol in December 2001, where he helped inspire Valencia to a comeback that many believe gave them the momentum to go on and clinch the title.
Aurelio said: "We were playing the local side, Espanyol, and there were question marks because the team wasn't very good and we found ourselves losing 2-0.
"There was no shouting, nothing special I remember apart from, 'You can go out and do it" – but the events of the 45 minutes which followed changed everything.
"We won 3-2 and everybody remembers that, because after that we went up and away and won the league.
"The pressure on him [Benitez] was amazing and if you've overcome that maybe you can overcome anything."
Liverpool currently sit joint top of the Premier League with Chelsea but Aurelio warns that it is too early to start thinking of silverware.
"The fans here are amazing but it is a long way if you are fighting for the title," he added.
"We know the pressure we have because of the time Liverpool has waited, but we have to keep our feet on the floor as we are doing now – and wait."
With Rafa Benitez at the helm, the unfancied La Liga side overcame the might of Barcelona and Real Madrid to claim their first championship in 31 years.
It's this triumph that Aurelio, who made 15 league appearances for Los Che during the campaign, feels the Reds can learn from.
"We were running from the back in 2001 and that was good for us," said the 29-year-old.
"Nobody is expecting you to fight for the title so you don't have the pressure that the teams at the top of the table have – to win every game.
"If you're top, you have to win, or otherwise you come down one position, or two positions. That was good for us at Valencia and maybe there are lessons for us now at Liverpool."
The Brazilian full-back fondly recalls a half-time team-talk from Benitez during a clash with Espanyol in December 2001, where he helped inspire Valencia to a comeback that many believe gave them the momentum to go on and clinch the title.
Aurelio said: "We were playing the local side, Espanyol, and there were question marks because the team wasn't very good and we found ourselves losing 2-0.
"There was no shouting, nothing special I remember apart from, 'You can go out and do it" – but the events of the 45 minutes which followed changed everything.
"We won 3-2 and everybody remembers that, because after that we went up and away and won the league.
"The pressure on him [Benitez] was amazing and if you've overcome that maybe you can overcome anything."
Liverpool currently sit joint top of the Premier League with Chelsea but Aurelio warns that it is too early to start thinking of silverware.
"The fans here are amazing but it is a long way if you are fighting for the title," he added.
"We know the pressure we have because of the time Liverpool has waited, but we have to keep our feet on the floor as we are doing now – and wait."
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