Time to go: Aurelio is leaving Liverpool
Fabio Aurelio will leave Liverpool after failing to agree terms
on a new deal.
The Brazilian defender is out of contract next week and was
offered pay-as-you-play terms after suffering with injuries during
his four years at the club.
But Aurelio wanted more security and Rafa Benitez will,
reluctantly, show the 30-year-old the door.
'Fabio's contract is nearly finished and he is going to leave
us,' said Benitez, who signed Aurelio on a Bosman in June 2006
after working with him at Valencia.
'We had been trying to work something out with regards an
extension but it was a pity that we couldn't. He has given us
absolutely fantastic service.
'Fabio is a top professional, a great player and a really good
lad. I mean every single word I say about him.
'It has been a pleasure having him here and we really will miss
him.'
Aurelio missed the start of the season with a knee injury and
his campaign ended in February when he picked up a thigh
problem.
Benitez added: 'The one problem we had with Fabio was that he
suffered too many injuries and it was such a pity because he has
great quality.
'When he was in the team, we were always to play the ball out
from the back and keep it because he uses possession so well.
'With Fabio being out so much, it meant that we had to use
(Emiliano) Insua more than we would have liked and that was not
easy for him.
'You can say things about players. But with Fabio, you are
talking about an amazing person who gave 100 per cent all the time.
We wish him all the best.'