The Reds' Brazilian left-back was pleased with how he and his team-mates fought their way to victory at Fratton Park.
Liverpool looked certain to slip further behind Manchester United in the title race on Saturday, as they found themselves 2-1 down to Portsmouth with five minutes remaining.
However, the Reds rallied late, with Dirk Kuyt beating David James at his near post before fellow super-sub Fernando Torres finished the game off with a powerful, injury-time header.
The result put the Merseysiders back on top of the Premier League table, if only for a short while, and Fabio Aurelio was delighted with the battling qualities shown on the South Coast.
"It was really important to win and we kept going right until the end," the 29-year-old defender told the club's official website.
"The manager made a lot of changes to the team because we had a lot of players who were tired after the FA Cup game against Everton, so everybody tried to do their best.
"We had difficulties during the game but we twice came back and we have to be really pleased with the win. I thought we controlled the first half but in the second half it was like the beginning of the season when we were behind and then kept coming back.
"To win a game like this will help us for the rest of the season to keep fighting right until the end. It was really important three points, because we have two weeks now before our next game.
"We have a winning mentality and it gives us a lot of confidence. We will keep fighting hard and keep the pressure on Manchester United."
Aurelio, who scored Liverpool's opener at Fratton Park with a free kick inside the box, was given an unfamiliar role in what was a most curious team selection from Rafael Benitez.
The former Sao Paulo star was deployed as a central midfielder, a position he had never before filled as a Red, but he has received glowing reviews for his composed performance.
"It's not my natural position but I did play some games there for Rafa at Valencia," Aurelio said. "I haven't played in the centre of midfield for quite a while and the manager told me on Saturday morning I would be playing there.
"It's always difficult when you haven't played in a position like that for some time but I tried to do the best I could, and I am happy because I could help the team get a great result."
Liverpool looked certain to slip further behind Manchester United in the title race on Saturday, as they found themselves 2-1 down to Portsmouth with five minutes remaining.
However, the Reds rallied late, with Dirk Kuyt beating David James at his near post before fellow super-sub Fernando Torres finished the game off with a powerful, injury-time header.
The result put the Merseysiders back on top of the Premier League table, if only for a short while, and Fabio Aurelio was delighted with the battling qualities shown on the South Coast.
"It was really important to win and we kept going right until the end," the 29-year-old defender told the club's official website.
"The manager made a lot of changes to the team because we had a lot of players who were tired after the FA Cup game against Everton, so everybody tried to do their best.
"We had difficulties during the game but we twice came back and we have to be really pleased with the win. I thought we controlled the first half but in the second half it was like the beginning of the season when we were behind and then kept coming back.
"To win a game like this will help us for the rest of the season to keep fighting right until the end. It was really important three points, because we have two weeks now before our next game.
"We have a winning mentality and it gives us a lot of confidence. We will keep fighting hard and keep the pressure on Manchester United."
Aurelio, who scored Liverpool's opener at Fratton Park with a free kick inside the box, was given an unfamiliar role in what was a most curious team selection from Rafael Benitez.
The former Sao Paulo star was deployed as a central midfielder, a position he had never before filled as a Red, but he has received glowing reviews for his composed performance.
"It's not my natural position but I did play some games there for Rafa at Valencia," Aurelio said. "I haven't played in the centre of midfield for quite a while and the manager told me on Saturday morning I would be playing there.
"It's always difficult when you haven't played in a position like that for some time but I tried to do the best I could, and I am happy because I could help the team get a great result."
No comments:
Post a Comment