Friday, March 13, 2009

Benitez Holds Leto Hope


Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez hopes Argentine winger Sebastian Leto will qualify for a work permit to play in England next season.

The Reds were forced to loan out Leto for the season after the 21-year-old failed tp secure a permit from the Department of Work and Pensions after his Italian passport, which allowed him to play for the club last season, was revoked.

Leto has impressed during his time with Greek outfit Olympiakos, although his tenure has been littered with disciplinary problems that include being dropped after reportedly kicking balls at the club's coaching staff in training.

Benitez claims Leto's pedigree means he should qualify for a permit to play in England and that the rules should be changed to allow someone of his quality to feature in the Premier League.

"Leto is an asset for Liverpool and I hope that he will get the work permit in order to have him with us next season," Benitez told SportDay.

"I am disappointed at what happened last summer. It was a surprise for us that he didn't manage to secure a work permit.

"Leto played a high level football back in Argentina. He has experience for Argentina's Olympic team and played some Champions League games for us.

"Everybody says that he is good enough. There were a lot of clubs in Italy and Spain wanting him and he can't play with us in Premier League. I think that this rule must change.

"I hope him performing well for another club in another country and making his mark at the European competitions, the authorities have to admit this rule is wrong."

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