Fabio Aurelio wants to prove Liverpool can cope with the absence of Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher.
Full-back ready to win without Gerrard and Carragher
Fabio Aurelio has challenged his team-mates to prove Liverpool can cope with the absence of influential duo Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher.
Reds captain Gerrard is currently sidelined by a hamstring injury picked up on England duty, while Carragher is out for three months after dislocating his shoulder.
Gerrard and Carragher have been mainstays of the Liverpool team for the past decade and exert huge influence in the Anfield dressing room.
However, ahead of Monday night's game at home to Aston Villa, Aurelio feels playing without Gerrard and Carragher is a chance for fringe players to step into the spotlight.
Responsbility
"Hopefully we won't miss them on the pitch and we can show what we can do," said Aurelio.
"I think always when you wear a Liverpool shirt you have a responsibility.
"We just have to concentrate and do our best. It is not just me because I am one of the more experienced players, everyone has this same approach."
Aurelio, who has had plenty of time to watch the first team having been frustrated by injuries again this season, believes things are getting better under manager Roy Hodgson.
He added: "If you look at the games, we have improved a lot since the beginning of the season and the team is playing more football and had a great game against Tottenham (losing 2-1 in added time a week ago).
"People know each other more and know more what Roy wants us to do on the pitch so we have time to continue this progression.
"We know we are not at our top level yet but we are going in the right direction."
