Thursday, April 29, 2010

Rafael Benitez: Daniel Ayala Can Be A Great Defender For Liverpool


Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez believes his young Spanish centre-back Daniel Ayala has the potential to become a "great defender" over the coming years.

The teenager impressed during his second league start of the season in the 4-0 win over Burnley on Sunday.

His first-team call up during a defensive injury crisis at Anfield follows an impressive season at the back for the reserves.

"Daniel has been really good for the reserves through the whole season and now he has had his opportunity in the first-team," Benitez told the club website.

"He is good in the air, he is focused all the time and he has the potential to be a great defender."

Benitez is seemingly thrilled with the 19 year-old's development and was quick to emphasise his contribution against Burnley

"We are really pleased with the progress he has made. Steven Fletcher is a good player and you could see that he had targeted Daniel and he tried to challenge him.

"But he got on with it and you could see that in the second half Daniel's game improved."

Daniel Ayala arrived on Merseyside from Sevilla at the start of the 2007/08 Premier League campaign and has made four league appearances this season.

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