FABIO AURELIO has revealed Rafael Benitez flew into a red rage after Liverpool’s first-half horror show in Florence.

The Anfield outfit slumped to their first Champions League group stage defeat in almost two years with a dismal 2-0 reverse against Fiorentina on Tuesday night.

Teenage striker Stevan Jovetic scored twice during an opening 45 minutes Benitez described as the worst of his tenure.

And Aurelio, who surprisingly played in central midfield at the Stadio Artemio Franchi, has lifted the lid on Benitez’s displeasure during half-time.

“I think that was the most annoyed we have seen the manager,” said the Brazilian.

“But we all were. We all felt like that after the first half and I think that’s why you saw a better performance in the second.

“But we didn’t need harsh words at half-time – we all knew that we were not playing well and that we had to be much better.

“We knew we would improve in the second and the manager was not the only one who was annoyed with us at half-time, we were annoyed with ourselves because we know how we played.

“In the second we were a different side and if it had been like that from the start it could have been a different result.

“We can’t think about that now, though, just how we will manage it again if we have the same situation in the future.”

It was Liverpool’s first group defeat since losing 2-1 at Besiktas in October 2007, and leaves them three points adrift of group leaders Lyon and behind second-placed Fiorentina on goal difference.

The loss was their third in 10 games this season, compared to five in the whole of the previous campaign.

Nevertheless, a run of four straight Premier League victories has moved Liverpool within three points of joint leaders Manchester United and Chelsea.

And Benitez’s side could move level with the Londoners with victory in their Stamford Bridge showdown on Sunday.

For Aurelio, it’s the ideal chance to bounce back from Tuesday’s disappointment.