Aug 2 2007 by Chris Bascombe, Liverpool Echo
SEBASTIAN LETO has finally been given the all-clear to make his Liverpool debut.
The Argentinian has been granted a European passport and will be included in the squad which plays in the Rotterdam tournament tomorrow evening.
That means manager Rafa Benitez will finally have a full squad to choose from for the first time this summer.
Leto has endured a frustrating time since arriving at Melwood for pre-season, as he awaited documentation needed to play in the friendly games.
He remained on Merseyside while the rest of the team travelled to Hong Kong, but his wait to wear a red shirt will soon be over.
“He will be able to play in Holland,” confirmed Benitez today. “Leto will travel with the squad and we have permission to play him in these games. It’s good news for him because it’s not easy when you’re only training. You want to play in the games.”
Benitez is likely to give the 20-year-old, who signed from Lanus in a £2m deal, his first taste of action.
The Liverpool side will travel on the day of their first game with Shanghai tomorrow, as Benitez wants to subject his players to as little time away as possible following their excursions in the Far East.
Feyenoord will play FC Porto in the other game, before meeting Liverpool on Sunday.
The fixtures were agreed as part of the Dirk Kuyt transfer last summer, although it’s been evident throughout the process the timing of the event has not met with universal approval by the Liverpool management.
“We will travel to Holland on Friday because we don’t need the players to go too early and this will allow us to train as normal today,” explained Benitez.
“The main idea is prepare as well as possible for the first Premiership game against Aston Villa.”
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