Aurelio: We can learn from Valencia

Fabio Aurelio believes Liverpool can draw inspiration from Valencia's title winning success of 2002 in their hunt for the Barclays Premier League crown.

With Rafa Benitez at the helm, the unfancied Valencia staged a dramatic comeback to pip the might of Barcelona and Real Madrid to top spot in La Liga and clinch their first Championship in 31 years.

Aurelio, who made 15 league appearances for Los Che that season, recalls the campaign with fond memories - and highlights a December fixture away to Espanyol as the catalyst for their unexpected triumph.

Finding themselves 2-0 down at the interval, Valencia produced a dramatic second-half comeback to secure a 3-2 victory.

It was a win many believe gave the Mestalla club the impetus to push on in the race for the title and Aurelio feels there is no reason why Liverpool cannot produce a similar fightback of their own this season - starting at Sunderland on Saturday.

The defender said: "We were losing 2-0 at half-time but, by the final whistle, we had turned it around and won 3-2. After that, we put a good run together.

"With six games to go, we were six points behind Real Madrid but by the end we had gone six ahead of them. It's the same all the time; if you want to get close to the top, you need a game to start it all off.

"In a different way, this could be the month that changes things for us. We are playing Sunderland now and we have to win to keep going in the Premier League, then there are Champions League and Carling Cup games too that must be won, too.

"But all you need is that one win to give you the confidence to go forward for the rest of the season. You just need to get it from somewhere, just like the night Valencia did that in Espanyol. Maybe Sunderland can be the one that does it for us."

Important matches against Lyon and Manchester United will follow the trip to the Stadium of Light, though Liverpool's preparations have been disturbed by the international recess.

However, with players now returning to Melwood from national duties, Aurelio is hoping the Reds can begin to build momentum once more by collecting all three points from their tussle with the Black Cats.

"It's always better when you have a full squad, so you can work hard to improve things," said Aurelio.

"So it's very different when there are only three or four of you; it hasn’t helped because we know we are facing a very important few weeks.

"When we face the big teams like Chelsea, Manchester United or Arsenal, it comes down to the small details. If you get them right, it changes the result at the end and we know we have to pay more attention to that if we want to improve.

"We are six points behind Chelsea and Sunderland is a difficult game to have after the break; then we have got United at home, so we know we will either be close (to the top) or much further away.

"We have to look at every step and focus on it. It's important that we win something this year. The team has been working really well and this could be the season that we step forward and get something to show for it. We didn't start off well but we know we have got the time to improve."