Rafael Benitez has challenged Emiliano Insua to again stake his claim for the left-back spot at Liverpool.
Insua made four consecutive starts over the festive period after both Fabio Aurelio and Andrea Dossena were struck by injury.
But the 20-year-old’s first-team run was halted by a call-up for Argentina in the South American Under-20 Championships in early January.
The tournament ended in disappointment for Insua, with Argentina finishing bottom of the final group stage of the competition to miss out on a place at the FIFA U20 World Cup for the first time in 16 years.
And with both Aurelio and Dossena having regained fitness in Insua’s absence, Liverpool manager Benitez has called on the youngster to once more provide further competition for places in defence.
“He was playing really well before he went away,” said Benitez. “He played a few games for us and did a good job.
“He has played a lot of football with his country, but some games were at left-back and others at centre-back.
“Defenders don’t run as far when they play in the middle, so we’ll have to have a look at him when he gets back to see if he needs a little break.
“It’s good to have him back, though. At this stage of the season the more players you have competing for positions in the team the better the situation is.”
Insua made four consecutive starts over the festive period after both Fabio Aurelio and Andrea Dossena were struck by injury.
But the 20-year-old’s first-team run was halted by a call-up for Argentina in the South American Under-20 Championships in early January.
The tournament ended in disappointment for Insua, with Argentina finishing bottom of the final group stage of the competition to miss out on a place at the FIFA U20 World Cup for the first time in 16 years.
And with both Aurelio and Dossena having regained fitness in Insua’s absence, Liverpool manager Benitez has called on the youngster to once more provide further competition for places in defence.
“He was playing really well before he went away,” said Benitez. “He played a few games for us and did a good job.
“He has played a lot of football with his country, but some games were at left-back and others at centre-back.
“Defenders don’t run as far when they play in the middle, so we’ll have to have a look at him when he gets back to see if he needs a little break.
“It’s good to have him back, though. At this stage of the season the more players you have competing for positions in the team the better the situation is.”
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