Ex-Liverpool star hospitalised with punctured lung after 'unexpected accident' in legends game against Ajax that saw Sven-Goran Eriksson take Jurgen Klopp's spot in Anfield dugout

The Brazilian sustained five cracked ribs and a punctured lung when he collided with ex-Ajax player Kiki Musampa and had to be taken to Aintree University Hospital, where he had to stay the night. The former Liverpool and Valencia winger was unable to fly home until over a week later.

The likes of Steven Gerrard, Ryan Babel, Martin Skrtel, Dirk Kuyt, Daniel Agger and Fernando Torres also lined up for a Liverpool team that was coached by ex-England boss Sven-Goran Eriksson. They beat their Ajax counterparts 4-2 at Anfield, with Aurelio sustaining an injury late in the first half after trying to prevent Kiki Musampa from scoring.

He told The Athletic: "I just tried to make the block and as he followed through after shooting, he ended up hitting me with his knee. You don’t expect an accident like that to happen in a Legends match, but when you go out there in front of 60,000 people, the competitive streak comes out.

"I couldn’t fly back last week because of the damage to my lung. At the start, the doctors said I would need to wait three weeks, so I was a bit scared, but the specialist saw the X-rays a few days ago and said it has settled down. The lung is OK and with the ribs, it’s just a matter of time for them to heal.

"I feel much better now and I’ve been well looked after by the club. There’s always a good side to bad things. It meant I was able to enjoy Sunday’s game against Brighton at Anfield. Apart from the accident, it’s been a fantastic trip."

Aurelio will return to work as an agent in Brazil with his firm NG Soccer. He is happy to remain in football but admits he did not want to become a coach, saying: "I love the game, but being a manager never appealed to me. The stress, the time it takes up; you don’t really have a life outside. I wanted to spend more time with my family and enjoy watching the kids grow up."