Rafael Benitez today insisted that the doom and gloom merchants are wrong, and that the reds still have plenty left to play for, as he added another Spanish-speaking South American to the Liverpool ranks.
Emiliano Insua, a young Argentine defender, has officially begun his 18 month loan deal for Liverpool that was first reported back in November. The reds chief scouts Frank McParland and Eduardo Macia brought him to Rafa’s attention.
The player is 18 years old and arrives from Boca Juniors. He is part of the Argentine Under-20 squad who are World Champions. At the end of the loan deal (in the summer of 2008) the reds will then have the option of purchasing the player if has made the grade.
Concentrating on the rest of the season Benitez remained upbeat:
“I am sure when we play teams like Manchester United, Chelsea and Arsenal later in the season, it can be a different result.
“If we have all our players available, and have no more bad luck with injuries, I know how strong our first team can be.
“People are talking about how strong Arsenal were in the last two games, so maybe this shows how well we’ve done to finish above them in the Premiership last season and to be third at this stage now.
“Last season I remember Manchester United losing early in the Champions League and losing to us in the FA Cup. People were saying things about them, but now they are at the top of the table.
“We are sure we can progress from here in a similar way, and remember we are still fighting in two competitions.”
Let’s hope Insua is not in the latest line of South American players who have struggled since joining Liverpool.
