Fabio Aurelio has been offered a second chance at Liverpool after new manager Roy Hodgson opted to re-sign the Brazilian full-back.

The 30-year-old left the club in May following the expiry of his contract but Hodgson offered him the chance to train with the Reds in a bid to earn a return.

Having impressed the new boss and his backroom staff, he has duly been handed a two-year contract to bring him back to the club until 2012 and was included in the travelling party for Sunday’s friendly away to Borussia Monchengladbach.

Hodgson told Liverpoolfc.tv: “I asked the club to find out whether Fabio had found a new club.

“When we ascertained that he hadn’t, we invited him back to Melwood so myself and my staff and the medical team could properly assess the player.

“We were very impressed and I am delighted we were able to re-sign Fabio.”

Aurelio made 71 appearances in four seasons, scoring three goals, after being brought to Anfield by former boss Rafael Benitez.

Arsene Wenger has called on Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas to end speculation over his future once and for all.

The Spain midfielder, 23, was not part of the squad for Saturday afternoon’s Emirates Cup opener against AC Milan, which finished 1-1, as, along with Holland striker Robin van Persie, Fabregas was given extra time off following the World Cup final.

Before he departed for South Africa, Fabregas is understood to have told Wenger of his desire to leave and rejoin boyhood club Barcelona.

Fabregas is not scheduled to return to England until after this weekend’s Emirates Cup for Arsenal’s official photocall on August 5 for the club’s Members’ Day.

Wenger remains confident his talisman will be fully focused on playing his part for Arsenal next season, the Premier League club having already rejected a £30million offer for their captain, who is under contract for another five seasons.

The Gunners boss, however, refused to confirm or deny reports he met face to face with his captain on Friday, but stressed now it was down to Fabregas to put the record straight.

“In the last six months, this story has made our lives difficult,” Wenger said.

“At the moment, what is important is that when Cesc comes back, that he comes out.

“For me, I have nothing more to add.

“The conversations with the players have to be private because I cannot come out every time I speak with a player.”

In recent weeks Barca have, publicly at least, appeared to admit defeat in their quest to land Fabregas before the transfer window closes at the end of August, although defender Carles Puyol, an international team-mate, maintains Arsenal are trying to keep hold of the player against his will.

Wenger has, however, clearly had enough of the whole saga, again re-iterating his captain was not for sale.

“They Barcelona certainly have a case to answer on allegations of tapping up, but it is always the same – how can you prove it?” he said.

“Puyol is responsible for his own statements, which is why I have said before, only Fabregas can clear the air when he comes back from holiday.

“I cannot master what is written in the newspapers, I can only master our decisions.

“Cesc has five years to go on his contract and that’s it.

“The speculation does not stop – who can stop the speculation? Only Cesc, that is how I feel.

“We cannot go into a season where every day you read about that.

“He has not played today, we have just played a football game and I sit here speaking about Fabregas.”

Wenger stressed: “Barcelona have given up for a long time. I told you yesterday that what will happen is that Fabregas will stay here.”

Returning to football matters, Wenger felt new signings Marouane Chamakh and Laurent Koscielny had acquitted themselves well on their home debuts.

Morocco striker Chamakh – a free transfer from Bordeaux – produced a neat finish to put the Premier League side ahead just before the break, while Koscielny, the former Lorient centre-back signed in a £10million deal, looked assured alongside Thomas Vermaelen.

Wenger’s young Gunners were, however, eventually pegged back following several changes when Pato nodded in a free-kick with 14 minutes left and on Sunday face the challenge of Celtic, who drew 2-2 against Lyon earlier.

“Chamakh had good presence up front, and played a good intelligent game. He and Koscielny did very well,” said Wenger.

“We wanted a player up front who can play for the team and works hard, who can go into combinations and at the back, someone who was calm, can read the game and play the ball out.

“Of course it is only one game, but their attitude in training is very good and they can only improve.”

Wenger continued: “It was a good test for us, we have come back from a very hard working camp and you could see that some legs were still not completely refreshed.

“We were in trouble a bit for the last 20 minutes because we shuffled the team around, but overall we looked very solid defensively and dangerous going forwards.

“The only thing I would say is there was a lack of communication from the free-kick, you did not feel anybody took charge of the organisation.”

There were also starts on Saturday afternoon for Jack Wilshere and Emmanuel Frimpong.

Wenger was impressed by the contributions of the youngsters, and intends to keep both midfielders in his squad rather then send them out on loan.

“It is very positive for Arsenal,” he said.

“Two 18-year-olds had a good battle. Of course they have a lack of experience, but they have individual quality and are fighters as well – they are not scared of anybody and put their foot in a positive way, they really go for it in the challenges.”

AC Milan coach Massimiliano Allegri, meanwhile, was happy enough with his team’s performance.

“We have only been in training for 10 days and played against a team who have already been together for two weeks and have great quality,” said Allegri, who replaced Leonardo earlier in the summer.

“We played very well and had a good spirit.”

AC Milan coach Massimiliano Allegri does not believe David Beckham will return to the club.

Beckham was at the Emirates Stadium to watch his former club in action against Arsenal on Saturday afternoon, as the pre-season friendly finished 1-1.

The England midfielder, 35, spent part of last season on loan at the Italian giants from LA Galaxy.

Beckham – whose camp have already ruled out reports of a possible switch to West Ham – is close to completing his recovery from the ruptured Achilles which scuppered his chance of making it to a fourth World Cup this summer and is set to join up with the Major League Soccer club on August 9.

New coach Allegri, though, does not believe Beckham will return to Milan next season.

“I do not think so,” said Allegri, who replaced Leonardo earlier in the summer.

“David is now recovering from very bad injury at that age it is very difficult to come back.

“But it has been a great pleasure for us to see him today.”

FC Twente secured a 1-0 victory over 10-man Ajax in the Dutch Supercup on Saturday night as Luis Suarez saw red again.

Luuk de Jong had given the reigning Eredivisie champions the lead in just the eighth minute in coach Michel Preud’homme’s first competitive game in charge.

And Suarez, who was infamously sent off for handling a goalbound header when playing for Uruguay in their World Cup quarter-final against Ghana, then saw red as he picked up a second booking just before half-time.

And the Amsterdam side were unable to find an equaliser after the break.

Millwall striker Gary Alexander is mulling over a move to Brentford after the League One club made a bid for his services.

Alexander was not included in Millwall’s squad for Neil Harris’ 3-2 testimonial defeat to Hearts on Saturday.

And, speaking in his post-match press conference, Lions manager Kenny Jackett said: “It was best that Gary was withdrawn from the squad so that he can take time to think things over.

“I’m expecting more talks on Monday.”