Liverpool unlikely to give Aurelio new deal

Fabio Aurelio is set to leave Liverpool FC this summer.



The 32-year-old left-back is out of contract at the end of the season and there have been no talks about a new deal.



The popular Brazilian, who has been dogged by injuries throughout his Reds career, is expected to return to South America to finish his playing days.



Aurelio has made just two first team appearances so far this season. He started last month’s FA Cup tie against Oldham and then made a brief substitute appearance in the recent league win at Wolves.



Jose Enrique has established himself as Kenny Dalglish’s first choice left-back since arriving from Newcastle last August.



With Glen Johnson equally at home on either flank and highly-rated young full-backs Jack Robinson and Jon Flanagan also able to play on the left, Aurelio has slipped down the pecking order.



Aurelio’s quality has never been in doubt but he has been beset by a succession of injury problems since arriving at Anfield on a free transfer from Valencia in 2006.



The first Brazilian to ever sign for the Reds, he missed the 2007 Champions League final against AC Milan after rupturing his Achilles in the quarter-final against PSV.



His best season for Liverpool came in 2008/09 when he clocked up 33 appearances and netted memorable free-kicks against Portsmouth, Manchester United and Chelsea. However, Aurelio sat out the start of the following season after injurying his knee following a freak accident while playing with his son in the garden.



After a disappointing campaign and with his contract running out in the summer of 2010 he rejected Rafa Benitez’s offer of a pay-as-you-play deal. He briefly left the club but just months later was back when new boss Roy Hodgson offered him a two-year contract.



Last season he started just 13 games and this term he hadn’t kicked a ball competitively until Oldham came to Anfield last month. But Aurelio is determined to add to his 133 appearances for Liverpool between now and the end of the season, hoping to be involved against Brighton in the FA Cup on Sunday.



“I am feeling good,” he said. “I am enjoying the training sessions every day and improving. I am available and waiting for an opportunity to get on the pitch again.



“It’s up to the manager to decide who is involved in each match, but my aim is to be available as much as possible and see what his thoughts are.”