Aurelio makes Reds reserve return

Liverpool defender Fabio Aurelio came through his first taste of action since rupturing an Achilles tendon in April.

Aurelio, 28, played the first 45 minutes for Liverpool reserves in a specially arranged match against Crewe.

The Brazilian suffered the injury in last season's Champions League quarter-final at PSV Eindhoven.

Although his return to first-team action looks imminent, Saturday's Premier League trip to Portsmouth is likely to come too soon for him.

Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez was initially confident that Aurelio would recover in time to take part in pre-season training, with a view to making the start of the campaign.

Benitez is keen to have Aurelio back to provide cover and competition in the left-back berth, especially after missing out on the signing of Manchester United defender Gabriel Heinze, who joined Real Madrid in August.