Brazilian Lucas Leiva admits he might not be able to continue being a squad player at Liverpool as he wants his international place back.
The 22-year-old midfielder is very highly regarded in his homeland and already has three full caps to his name.
But his displays for Liverpool have not endeared him to the Anfield faithful and many do not consider him to be capable of competing with the likes of Xabi Alonso and Javier Mascherano for a central midfield berth.
Whilst Rafa Benitez looks to have a great deal of faith in the former Gremio star, the player himself admits he cannot afford to be kicking his heels on the sidelines if he wants to cement his place in Dunga's Brazil squad.
"I think I have played a lot, but the competition for places here is very high," he told Folha online. "The situation doesn't really worry me, but my objective has always been to play in order to make sure I am back with the national side.
"Once the season is over, I will have to see what is the best option for me.
"It is the World Cup next year and I will have to push to get this chance and you have to be playing to get called up."
Lucas has seen himself drop out of Brazil squad and he admits he does not know why Dunga axed him.
"I can't really explain what happened, but Dunga makes his own decisions," he said. "I was in the squad in the last four World Cup qualifiers and played against Bolivia, when the team didn't play well.
"I believe that I'm part of a list of 30 or 40 players, but I'm out of the 22-men squad."
The 22-year-old midfielder is very highly regarded in his homeland and already has three full caps to his name.
But his displays for Liverpool have not endeared him to the Anfield faithful and many do not consider him to be capable of competing with the likes of Xabi Alonso and Javier Mascherano for a central midfield berth.
Whilst Rafa Benitez looks to have a great deal of faith in the former Gremio star, the player himself admits he cannot afford to be kicking his heels on the sidelines if he wants to cement his place in Dunga's Brazil squad.
"I think I have played a lot, but the competition for places here is very high," he told Folha online. "The situation doesn't really worry me, but my objective has always been to play in order to make sure I am back with the national side.
"Once the season is over, I will have to see what is the best option for me.
"It is the World Cup next year and I will have to push to get this chance and you have to be playing to get called up."
Lucas has seen himself drop out of Brazil squad and he admits he does not know why Dunga axed him.
"I can't really explain what happened, but Dunga makes his own decisions," he said. "I was in the squad in the last four World Cup qualifiers and played against Bolivia, when the team didn't play well.
"I believe that I'm part of a list of 30 or 40 players, but I'm out of the 22-men squad."
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