AnalysisFabio Aurelio column: Old Trafford memories, 'that' free-kick and mailbag

Every player dreams of playing in this fixture, and I was no different. It was my favourite game to play in. You just can't imagine being involved in a bigger game.

Going to Old Trafford, I enjoyed the hostility that awaited us. In a strange way, that sort of reception helped me feel more confident. In my mind, if they were booing you, it meant you were probably doing something good.

The fans at Old Trafford might have been cheering me on in another world. A few days ago, someone sent me a report saying Man United were monitoring me when I was at Valencia. It surprised me because that news never came to me at the time. Anyway, I could not have signed for a better club than Liverpool in 2006.

Of course, one of my best memories as a Red was playing and scoring in our 4-1 win at United during 2008-09.

I'll admit, I do find myself watching my free-kick from time to time – how couldn't you? I didn't score many in my career, so those big ones are always on your mind. It's impossible for them not to be.

It was very important for me to score that day, especially in that moment of the game. The fans seem to remember it, too, which is really nice and I'm very grateful for.

Going there, we probably knew it was our last chance in the Premier League title race. There was a seven-point gap between us, so we were really focused in every aspect of the game – tactically, technically, mentally. We were so prepared that even going 1-0 down didn't affect us.

It's always a huge game but tonight's probably takes on greater importance due to both teams' start to the season. For Liverpool, there's no better game to get back on track than against your biggest rivals at their home.

In my opinion, Liverpool need to be very strong mentally and have last season's visit to Old Trafford in their mind for confidence and belief.

It's always a must-watch spectacle, and I'll be tuning in from Brazil.

Inside the away team dressing room at Man United

​​Growing up in Brazil in the time I did, they didn't really show much English football. I remember more Japanese and Italian football being shown.

It was only until I got to Valencia in 2000 that I started to follow the Premier League more and understood its unique passion.

Once I arrived at Liverpool, it hit me straight away the importance of the games with United and Everton.

I can certainly see how they'd be overwhelming for those experiencing it for the first time. But the more you play in them, the more you feel prepared. Jürgen Klopp's side are well used to high-profile games now – finals, semi-finals and rivalries – having played in so many.

The experience means you're able to pay more attention to the game – not spending energy with your emotions. However, responsibility, focus and hard work – that all still needs to be there if you want to succeed.

Inside the dressing room before games with United, everyone faced it in their own way. Some were more alive, some more quiet. I was more the latter, concentrating on myself.

My routine was that I always took my bible with me and read a few verses of it after I got changed.

I'd say there was 'good' anxiety in the dressing room. You want the game to start as soon as possible, so you can see the results of what you've been preparing and working for.

You still can't control everything that's going to happen but at least you can try to do something when you're on the pitch.

But once you went out for the warm-up and started to feel the crowd, that's when the energy really started to get to everybody.

It's a feeling you don't experience once you retire and one I'm jealous the players will have later on tonight.

Mailbag

@MrMattyjohnson: When did you know you were going to catch out Petr Cech with that free-kick in the Champions League quarter-final at Stamford Bridge back in 2009?

Preparing for the game in the week, the goalkeeper coach said to me, 'If you have a free-kick on the side of the pitch, have a look at Cech because normally he puts the wall on the opposite side and leaves his goalline early to try to catch the ball. So if you see that, you can try.' When I was on the ball for that free-kick, measured the distance and saw Florent Malouda in a one-man wall, I remembered every word the goalie coach said. I was like, 'I see a chance here, should I try or not?'

I risked it and fortunately the shot was where it needed to be. If I hit it higher, maybe Cech would've got to it. But on the floor meant it was difficult for him to recover. I'd say the goal is the second one of mine that fans remember most.

@Kayak_man1: What's the standard of the Brazilian Serie A like?

The league is very competitive. Obviously it doesn't have the same intensity as the Premier League has. But the difficulty of travelling and the distances always makes it a very difficult competition to win, especially now as it's kind of a more regular season. Normally you can lose points everywhere. In recent years we've seen a lot of players come back to Brazil – Willian, Renato Augusto, Everton Soares, for example – and they've added a lot to the competition in terms of quality. Normally we export players, so the quality naturally gets lower. The top players don't normally stay here that long. I think this is the main thing of the Brazilian league really: leaving space for young players to sell them so the clubs have money to survive.

Thanks for reading.

Speak soon,

Fabio

Aurelio was speaking to Liverpoolfc.com's Glenn Price.