Returning to footballing matters, I nicked this from the Offal: 
Fabio Aurelio chats to liverpoolfc.tv about the gaffer's tactics, his dream of playing for Brazil and his son's Scouse accent. In our latest Big Interview, the full-back also picks his LFC five-a-side team…
How's your English coming along, Fabio?
I'm getting better, improving. I'm happy with it. I still go to classes maybe twice a week, some weeks three. Me and my wife like to watch movies but need subtitles, though we use English subtitles so we can learn.
Have you seen anything good lately?
I've seen Rocky. I also went to the cinema with my English teacher to watch The Pursuit of Happiness. It was a sad film, but good. I didn't understand everything but I understood the story.
You've been here six months now, how are you settling into life in England?
I'm very happy and my family is too. My five-year-old is doing very well at school and is speaking much better English than us.
Is he picking up any Scouse?
He is picking up a bit of the accent but that's fine.
How does life in England compare to living in Brazil?
It's not so different for me because I stay at home most of the time. I'm a family man, I enjoy being with my son. I also lived in Spain for six years so I'm used to life in Europe.
Have you had chance to explore Liverpool?
It's a good city, I have nothing to complain about. I feel at home here. I don't get chance to explore as much as I'd like because of games and training. Sometimes you get days off – I went to London not so long ago, and also Dublin.
Have you been to the new Brazilian restaurant in town yet?
The one in Bold Street?
Yes…
Yes. It was good. It's a bit strange because it's Brazilian food, like rice, beans, salad and meat, but with an English style. It is not totally authentic. It's a good place to go, though.
Have you recommended it to any of your teammates?
Yes. I was talking with Carra because he went to the Argentinian place. They are by the same people, I think. He would like the Brazilian place.
There was speculation linking you with a move to Real Madrid before you came here. Do you ever regret coming to Liverpool?
They were waiting for their presidential elections so the contractual issues weren't clear, but when I knew about the interest of Liverpool and talked to Rafa, who I knew from Valencia, I was sure I wanted to come here. I knew I'd have opportunities to play, and also the club has so much history.
What kind of relationship do you have with Rafa?
It's just a normal coach/player relationship. I don't talk too much, I just do what I'm told.
How highly do you rate him as a manager?
He is one of the very best in the world at the moment. Whenever I have played in one of his teams I have won things. I hope to carry on doing that here at Liverpool.
Who would win: Rafa's Valencia or Rafa's Liverpool?
It's difficult because these teams play in different types of leagues. Here it's more physical. Maybe we will have an idea if we beat Barcelona, then we could face Valencia. I would enjoy that. He did his job very well there, and he is doing the same here.
Do you think he is trying to play a similar style of football at Liverpool to that which proved so successful at Valencia?
Yes, it's similar, but he's had to make certain modifications. The tactics need to be more spot on here and it's also more physical. Your body strength needs to be more developed.
Many people have been impressed with your performances since you came back from injury; are we now seeing the best of Fabio Aurelio or is there more to come?
You get what you see with me and you've seen what I can do. The injuries I've had have been difficult but things are going okay now. I'm happy with the way I've been since I've come back from injury.
Left-back or left-wing?
Left-back.
Is there a healthy rivalry between you and John Arne Riise?
Yes. It's a friendly rivalry. We all know at this club there is competition for every place.
Is there any part of your game you'd like to improve?
Technically I could develop but it's difficult to work on that while you're trying to adapt to a new style of play here in England.
Do you still harbour ambitions to play for your country?
Yes. It's a dream for me that I'll never give up.
Do you get home to Brazil often?
It's a year since I've been back and it will be another six months before I go again.
My colleague is desperate to know if you played barefoot on the Copacabana beach when you were growing up?
[Laughs] No, because I grew up in the city in Sao Paulo.
Why are Brazilians so much more skilful than everyone else?
I really don't know! I think we just love football. Every year there are brilliant players who come through who just enjoy playing the game.
It's not the rice and beans, then?
[Laughs] Maybe it's because of the rice and beans!
Okay, I'm going to put you on the spot and ask which Liverpool players you think would get into the Brazil national side?
There are a number of players who maybe could but the one that sticks out is obviously Steven Gerrard.
How much did you know about Liverpool Football Club while you were growing up in Brazil?
Not a lot, just from what I saw of the highlights they show over there. When I went to Valencia I found out a lot more because it became easier for me to follow English football.
Liverpool will be coming up against one of the greatest ever Brazilians soon; do you have any inside knowledge on how to stop Ronaldinho?
It's a difficult question. In football you have 11 players against 11 players. We know he's very good, he has a lot of individual quality. But here in England we also play against very good players. We know it's a difficult job but together we can do it.
Do you know any Barca players personally?
Of course, but mainly the Brazilian ones. Ronaldinho, Edmilson, Sylvinho, and also Deco. We haven't talked about the match yet, though.
What kind of record do you have against Barca?
It's fairly even I'd say.
Okay, we ask all the players to pick their LFC five-a-side team. Who's in yours?
Is this indoor football you're talking about?
You can play indoors if you like…
And does the goalkeeper need to be a proper goalkeeper?
It doesn't have to be one of our regular keepers. I've heard Xabi Alonso is quite good...
I didn't know that! Okay, I'm having Luis Garcia, and I'll put Xabi Alonso in goal, if you think he's good. I'm in there too. Gonzalez is too quick for five-a-side, not enough space for him. Stevie and then a striker to score goals.
Crouch is playing like a Brazilian right now…
[Laughs] Yes, he is playing very well. [Long pause] I really don't know. Okay, Robbie.
Which Liverpool players do you have in your mobile phone?
Er, most of the Spanish ones. Luis, Pepe, Mark and Bolo. Maybe more. I speak to Bolo a lot because we're neighbours. We speak to confirm the time of training or also to arrange which one of us is driving to work.
Who chooses the music in the car?
That's not so important because we just like to chat on the way.
In every squad there are quiet players and louder ones. Where do you fit in?
I'm quite reserved myself but I get on with most people I come across.
Right: you're stuck on a desert island and you can take five things?
One is my family. Another is a Bible. I'd take some food, maybe rice, beans and meat. Then I'd take a ball and a net so I can play football with my son.
I know the season's far from over, but do you have any idea who you are going to vote for in the Players' Player of the Year competition?
I still need more time on this I think. Crouch is playing very well though.
You can't vote for one of your own teammates, Fabio!
Okay. Ronaldo has been doing very well.
Finally, what are your remaining ambitions?
First it's to do well here and justify my place in the team. Then it's to get a bit luckier with injuries, because if I'm fit I can show good things. I obviously want to win trophies, and finally I still want to play for Brazil.
Fabio Aurelio chats to liverpoolfc.tv about the gaffer's tactics, his dream of playing for Brazil and his son's Scouse accent. In our latest Big Interview, the full-back also picks his LFC five-a-side team…
How's your English coming along, Fabio?
I'm getting better, improving. I'm happy with it. I still go to classes maybe twice a week, some weeks three. Me and my wife like to watch movies but need subtitles, though we use English subtitles so we can learn.
Have you seen anything good lately?
I've seen Rocky. I also went to the cinema with my English teacher to watch The Pursuit of Happiness. It was a sad film, but good. I didn't understand everything but I understood the story.
You've been here six months now, how are you settling into life in England?
I'm very happy and my family is too. My five-year-old is doing very well at school and is speaking much better English than us.
Is he picking up any Scouse?
He is picking up a bit of the accent but that's fine.
How does life in England compare to living in Brazil?
It's not so different for me because I stay at home most of the time. I'm a family man, I enjoy being with my son. I also lived in Spain for six years so I'm used to life in Europe.
Have you had chance to explore Liverpool?
It's a good city, I have nothing to complain about. I feel at home here. I don't get chance to explore as much as I'd like because of games and training. Sometimes you get days off – I went to London not so long ago, and also Dublin.
Have you been to the new Brazilian restaurant in town yet?
The one in Bold Street?
Yes…
Yes. It was good. It's a bit strange because it's Brazilian food, like rice, beans, salad and meat, but with an English style. It is not totally authentic. It's a good place to go, though.
Have you recommended it to any of your teammates?
Yes. I was talking with Carra because he went to the Argentinian place. They are by the same people, I think. He would like the Brazilian place.
There was speculation linking you with a move to Real Madrid before you came here. Do you ever regret coming to Liverpool?
They were waiting for their presidential elections so the contractual issues weren't clear, but when I knew about the interest of Liverpool and talked to Rafa, who I knew from Valencia, I was sure I wanted to come here. I knew I'd have opportunities to play, and also the club has so much history.
What kind of relationship do you have with Rafa?
It's just a normal coach/player relationship. I don't talk too much, I just do what I'm told.
How highly do you rate him as a manager?
He is one of the very best in the world at the moment. Whenever I have played in one of his teams I have won things. I hope to carry on doing that here at Liverpool.
Who would win: Rafa's Valencia or Rafa's Liverpool?
It's difficult because these teams play in different types of leagues. Here it's more physical. Maybe we will have an idea if we beat Barcelona, then we could face Valencia. I would enjoy that. He did his job very well there, and he is doing the same here.
Do you think he is trying to play a similar style of football at Liverpool to that which proved so successful at Valencia?
Yes, it's similar, but he's had to make certain modifications. The tactics need to be more spot on here and it's also more physical. Your body strength needs to be more developed.
Many people have been impressed with your performances since you came back from injury; are we now seeing the best of Fabio Aurelio or is there more to come?
You get what you see with me and you've seen what I can do. The injuries I've had have been difficult but things are going okay now. I'm happy with the way I've been since I've come back from injury.
Left-back or left-wing?
Left-back.
Is there a healthy rivalry between you and John Arne Riise?
Yes. It's a friendly rivalry. We all know at this club there is competition for every place.
Is there any part of your game you'd like to improve?
Technically I could develop but it's difficult to work on that while you're trying to adapt to a new style of play here in England.
Do you still harbour ambitions to play for your country?
Yes. It's a dream for me that I'll never give up.
Do you get home to Brazil often?
It's a year since I've been back and it will be another six months before I go again.
My colleague is desperate to know if you played barefoot on the Copacabana beach when you were growing up?
[Laughs] No, because I grew up in the city in Sao Paulo.
Why are Brazilians so much more skilful than everyone else?
I really don't know! I think we just love football. Every year there are brilliant players who come through who just enjoy playing the game.
It's not the rice and beans, then?
[Laughs] Maybe it's because of the rice and beans!
Okay, I'm going to put you on the spot and ask which Liverpool players you think would get into the Brazil national side?
There are a number of players who maybe could but the one that sticks out is obviously Steven Gerrard.
How much did you know about Liverpool Football Club while you were growing up in Brazil?
Not a lot, just from what I saw of the highlights they show over there. When I went to Valencia I found out a lot more because it became easier for me to follow English football.
Liverpool will be coming up against one of the greatest ever Brazilians soon; do you have any inside knowledge on how to stop Ronaldinho?
It's a difficult question. In football you have 11 players against 11 players. We know he's very good, he has a lot of individual quality. But here in England we also play against very good players. We know it's a difficult job but together we can do it.
Do you know any Barca players personally?
Of course, but mainly the Brazilian ones. Ronaldinho, Edmilson, Sylvinho, and also Deco. We haven't talked about the match yet, though.
What kind of record do you have against Barca?
It's fairly even I'd say.
Okay, we ask all the players to pick their LFC five-a-side team. Who's in yours?
Is this indoor football you're talking about?
You can play indoors if you like…
And does the goalkeeper need to be a proper goalkeeper?
It doesn't have to be one of our regular keepers. I've heard Xabi Alonso is quite good...
I didn't know that! Okay, I'm having Luis Garcia, and I'll put Xabi Alonso in goal, if you think he's good. I'm in there too. Gonzalez is too quick for five-a-side, not enough space for him. Stevie and then a striker to score goals.
Crouch is playing like a Brazilian right now…
[Laughs] Yes, he is playing very well. [Long pause] I really don't know. Okay, Robbie.
Which Liverpool players do you have in your mobile phone?
Er, most of the Spanish ones. Luis, Pepe, Mark and Bolo. Maybe more. I speak to Bolo a lot because we're neighbours. We speak to confirm the time of training or also to arrange which one of us is driving to work.
Who chooses the music in the car?
That's not so important because we just like to chat on the way.
In every squad there are quiet players and louder ones. Where do you fit in?
I'm quite reserved myself but I get on with most people I come across.
Right: you're stuck on a desert island and you can take five things?
One is my family. Another is a Bible. I'd take some food, maybe rice, beans and meat. Then I'd take a ball and a net so I can play football with my son.
I know the season's far from over, but do you have any idea who you are going to vote for in the Players' Player of the Year competition?
I still need more time on this I think. Crouch is playing very well though.
You can't vote for one of your own teammates, Fabio!
Okay. Ronaldo has been doing very well.
Finally, what are your remaining ambitions?
First it's to do well here and justify my place in the team. Then it's to get a bit luckier with injuries, because if I'm fit I can show good things. I obviously want to win trophies, and finally I still want to play for Brazil.
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