Aurelio targeting new deal

Fabio Aurelio today spoke of his determination to banish his injury frustrations and earn himself a new Anfield deal.

The Brazilian defender joined Liverpool in July 2006 but given that his current contract expires next summer, he will be free to start talking to other clubs in the New Year.

However, Aurelio is not looking to move, as his young family are happy in Merseyside and he wants to continue to be part of a squad that he says is continuing to develop.

But as Aurelio has only made 92 appearances for the Reds since his Bosman move from Valencia, he appreciates the onus is on him to prove his fitness.

That's why he is now desperate for the chance to put a long sequence of starts together - beginning in this weekend's crucial trip to Sunderland - as the future is out of his hands.

"I feel very comfortable and my family is very settled here but I know that it all depends on what the manager and the club thinks about me," said Aurelio.

"We had started talking before the end of last season but then I picked up the injury in the summer and since then there has not been any more contact.

"I just want to play at the minute before I think about anything else and we will see how everything goes from there."

With Lucas, Javier Mascherano and Emiliano Insua not due back from their World Cup qualifiers in South America until tomorrow, Aurelio should figure at the Stadium of Light.

And if Steven Gerrard does not recover from an adductor problem - he underwent a scan yesterday - there is likely to be a place in the starting line-up for Aurelio.

When he has played, the 30-year-old has been one of the more dependable members of Rafa Benitez's squad but hopes to show that his best form is yet to come.

"Every season I have felt more and more comfortable here and I have many good team-mates - this feels as if it is my home," said Aurelio.

"I enjoy the city and the life that I have here and that is why it has felt like the time that I have been here has gone so fast.

"I'm really enjoying it; when you are settled and you are comfortable, that is all you want and that is why I would like to stay here if I can."

 The views expressed in this article are not necessarily the views of Liverpool Football Club.