Aurélio maintains belief after Chelsea setback

Liverpool FC defender Fábio Aurélio popped into the Talk Football chatroom on Thursday, answering uefa.com users' questions the day after his side suffered a 3-1 reverse against Chelsea FC at Anfield in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League quarter-final. The 29-year-old admitted they were stunned when two Branislav Ivanović headers turned the game on its head but believes the tie is not finished. The Brazilian is also anticipating a thrilling climax to the Premier League season as the Reds compete for the title against the London club and leaders Manchester United FC.

FutureLFCprospect: After the loss to Chelsea on Wednesday, how do you think the team will recover in the Premier League and on Tuesday at Stamford Bridge?

Fábio Aurélio: We need to separate the tournaments. We are doing quite well in the Premier League and cannot afford to lose momentum. Winning will put more pressure on Manchester United. Chelsea are not a matter until next week.

Andre: As you scored against Manchester United in the 4-1 league win at Old Trafford, do you think you can score against Chelsea and help Liverpool overcome the Blues?

Fábio Aurélio: It will all depend on where the free-kicks occur. I would love to have an opportunity from a dead ball and will practice some more free-kicks.

Kim: What when wrong against Chelsea?

Fábio Aurélio: The game started quite well for us. We set the pace and it seemed to be our night. But that first goal kind of stunned us. Congratulations to Chelsea, though, as they played well.

DontTreadOnMe14: Do you think you have what it takes to win the Premier League?

Fábio Aurélio: We can win the Premier League. The team knows that there is a good chance we can catch United if we don't drop points. United are under pressure, especially because Chelsea are also involved. Every game will be a final.

Giorgio: With your recent great result against United, are Liverpool focusing on the Premier League ahead of all other competitions?

Fábio Aurélio: Nobody is giving up on the Champions League, for this team have defied the odds before. We have scored four against United and Real Madrid and need to remember that.

Fabrice: Do you think it is normal to see four English clubs still involved at this stage of the Champions League? Or does this exaggerate the quality of Premier League clubs compared to the rest of Europe?

Fábio Aurélio: Having the four English clubs in the quarter-finals attests that the Premier League is the best in the world. It reflects both the quality of the game but also the structure of the clubs. It can't be mere coincidence because it's been happening for a long time.

Tommy: Did you know Branislav Ivanović was such a threat on corners before the game yesterday? What kind of tactics do you have in place at corners?

Fábio Aurélio: Branislav Ivanović surprised everybody. Nobody expected that guy to come out of the blue and score twice against us. Before the game we were actually thinking he could be used as a weak point because he was being improvised as a right-back.

Leonard: Which club has impressed you most in the Champions League this season?

Fábio Aurélio: I like what Porto have been doing. They showed against United they are dangerous and fearless. Not anyone can score twice at Old Trafford.

manutd4life: What were you thinking before the game when you beat United 4-1?

Fábio Aurélio: It's hard to think that you could be putting four goals past Real Madrid or Manchester United. But when everything goes one's way these things can happen. It was very important for us to beat United so we could think again about winning the Premier League.

saeed9999: Who is the player that you consider the best in history?

Fábio Aurélio: It's hard to choose one. I like to think of complete players. From the guys I have seen playing, Ronaldo. The guy is a phenomenon. Even after all the problems he's been through the guy might still be able to make it back to the national team. In Brazil, he's been scoring goals without being in perfect physical condition.

Evander: What is your favourite thing about living in Liverpool?

Fábio Aurélio: I am a quiet guy and like to stay at home most of the time. My wife and kids like to go to the movies. I like Liverpool. It's a beautiful city and people are really nice to us. I like to go for a walk at the docks sometimes. It's relaxing to look at the Mersey.

MU_fan: What's your opinion about Rafael Benítez?

Fábio Aurélio: Benítez is addicted to football. He lives for the game and seems to watch every match on the planet. Rafa is also an encyclopaedia in terms of players and stats. Sometimes he asks me about Brazilian players I have never heard of.

Chuckle brother: Can you understand Jamie Carragher's accent?

Fábio Aurélio: Carra? No, I still can't understand many of the things he says. If it's a direct conversation that's fine but if you see Carra talking to another English guy it gets tough.

Apetrosyan: How did you react to last-minute winning goal from Manchester United's Federico Macheda in the 3-2 league win against Aston Villa?

Fábio Aurélio: It was like a bucket of cold water being poured over my head. Villa were playing so well and could have won 3-1. Then Cristiano Ronaldo finds a goal out of nowhere and a teenager scores a screamer on his debut.

carra_9: The two goals from corners against Chelsea have seen people blame the zonal marking. Do you think it is right?

Fábio Aurélio: The zonal marking has worked for us before so I don't think we should be blaming it for the result. Goals also happen as a result of strong performances and Chelsea managed to put us in situations where they beat the system. If there were perfect schemes, matches would always end in draws.

Nicholas77: Which player are you most excited to play against?

Fábio Aurélio: I don't really get excited facing world-class players but it is challenging to face guys like Arjen Robben or Lionel Messi. They play with the ball pretty close to their feet and it's a nightmare trying to read what they will do with the ball.

Cribbit: What are some of the most difficult, but at the same time most rewarding, aspects of travelling with your club?

Fábio Aurélio: The only hard thing is being away from my wife and kids. I would love to take them with me. At least it's very different from Brazil where sometimes you get locked in a hotel, even before home matches.