When Fabio Aurelio steps back onto the Anfield turf on Saturday, he will be rekindling a love affair with the club that so often grabs players once they have been privileged enough to wear the famous red jersey.
Now 42, the Brazilian left-back will take part in this weekend's LFC Legends charity match against a team of former stars from FC Barcelona.
Aurelio enjoyed a six year spell on Merseyside, making 134 appearances and finding the net four times - including a famous free-kick in a 4-1 win against Manchester United at Old Trafford - but as all of those goals were scored away from home, how he would dearly like to smash one in at the Kop on on Saturday.
READ MORE: Alisson set to land another Man City blow away from Liverpool battle
Speaking to Liverpoolfc.com, he said: "It would really be a dream come true if I could score at Anfield because during my time at the club, the four goals I did score were playing away. If I get to do it with a free-kick, I couldn’t ask for more. Anyway, I’m very pleased to have the chance to play at Anfield again, I will sure enjoy it and also try to fulfil this dream of mine. Why not?"
Aurelio, who followed then Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez to Anfield from Valencia in 2006, will line up alongside a host of well-known players from Liverpool's past, including Steven Gerrard, Jamie Carragher, Daniel Agger, Dirk Kuyt, Steve McManaman and Maxi Rodriguez.
Renowned for his dead ball ability and attacking style down the flank, Aurelio is a big fan of Liverpool's current full-backs, particularly Andy Robertson, who now plays in his old position.
Speaking about the Scotland captain, Aurelio said: "I’ve seen a few great left-backs during my career – some very strong defensively, some much more offensive. But if you look at the whole full-back role, he is complete in defence, in attack, he can score goals, he has pace, he has stamina, he is aggressive. So, he has to be at the top of the list, you can’t say different than that. His numbers talk for themselves."
Liverpool's whole dimension as an attacking force was revolutionised under Jurgen Klopp, deploying his full-backs aggressively high up the pitch to devastating effect.
And Aurelio was equally complimentary about the job Trent Alexander-Arnold is doing for the Reds on the other side of the pitch.
The Brazilian added: "They manage to do everything the position requires. As I said about Robertson previously, we can say the same about Trent. Both are very complete full-backs. Both spend the matches going up and down the pitch, they participate a lot in the team’s game. We can really say that both were born to be full-backs."
Like Liverpool's latest signing Luis Diaz, Aurelio is a South American player who moved to England from the southern European leagues and had to adapt quickly and he has already seen enough of Anfield's new Colombian acquisition to suggest that his Liverpool career will be a success.
Aurelio said: "I watched some of his games with Porto so when I saw the signing, I imagined he would match perfectly to the team. He has pace, he is very strong one-on-one. What is very evident for me when I see him playing is his character, his desire to play. All of this is helping him to adapt so quickly, in my opinion – he has the identity of Liverpool."
Liverpool FC Legends v Barca Legends will take place on Saturday, March 26 at Anfield. Kick off 3pm.
