Insua away for a month

[MrMichael]

Rafa's challenge for Fabio and Andrea

Paul Eaton 07 January 2009

http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/news/drilldown/N162769090107-1248.htm

Rafael Benitez today challenged both Fabio Aurelio and Andrea Dossena to win the battle for the left back berth in his team following Emiliano Insua's departure for international duty.

Insua today left for the Under-20 South American Championships in Venezuela and is expected to be away until February 8, ruling him out of a number of high profile matches over the next month.

Having started the Reds' last four matches, Insua was beginning to make the left back position his own - but his absence has now opened the way for both Aurelio and Dossena to stake their claim for a place the defence.

He said: "Emiliano has been really good for us and has been doing well and I know people are saying we are losing something with him going away.

"But we have a lot of confidence in Fabio and Andrea and both players can now compete for the position.

[-V-]

As an Argentinian footballer, there's no greater honour than playing for the national team. Rafa knows this, which is why he always relents to Masch. This was probably all cleared ages ago, before Insua recently broke into the 1st team picture.

I hope they go on to win it!

Are you really?

[BubbaZanetti]

Are you really?

¿es posible, no?

[DannyMan2006]

¿es posible, no?

It is, but he's not saying that is he.

[BubbaZanetti]

It is, but he's not saying that is he.

If I knew what you were saying he's not saying I might be able to comment

[anfieldanfield]

Insua must be gutted.

This was his chance to establish hismeslf as the first choice left back for the side top of the Premiership.

By the time he's back Aurelio will be a solid first choice again. Dossena will probably still bit **** mind.

[DannyMan2006]

Insua must be gutted.

This was his chance to establish hismeslf as the first choice left back for the side top of the Premiership.

By the time he's back Aurelio will be a solid first choice again. Dossena will probably still bit **** mind.

As much as I rate Insua, I do hope he is third choice by the time he comes back. Because that would surely mean the other two have done well in his absence.

Whatever happens, Insua coming in and doing well has saved us spunking more money on a LB should either of the other two part company with LFC in the summer - likely Dossena.

[DannyMan2006]

If I knew what you were saying he's not saying I might be able to comment

If you read back you would!

[BubbaZanetti]

If you read back you would!

Sorry mate, I'm being really dim! I'm totally lost

[RedReet]

On his way home. Got sent off in his last match, could he not have did this earlier?

As much as I rate Insua, I do hope he is third choice by the time he comes back. Because that would surely mean the other two have done well in his absence.

They have certainly did themselves no harm in his absence. Looks like reserve football again for the young Argentine, at least until Aurelio picks up his next injury. (Trying to anti-scud in the hope he can stay fit)

[meffin]

as ok as dossena has been, id much rather see insua given a chance

[RedReet]

I wouldn’t argue with that, but it’s nice to finally see some competition for a position that’s usually one of our weakest.

[dww]

I want whoever is playing best and training best to get the role. They are all LFC players and I don't see why anyone would want any one in particular to succeed at the expense of the others (I'm aware that's not exactly what has been said here, it's just a feeling I get from some fans at times).

I think so far that actually Insua has had the strongest case for fitting best into our system but in the last few games Aurelio has passed his way back into pole IMO. It will be hard for Dossena but I do thin that his style of play is well suited to what we need, probably more than Aurelio.

[memzey]

Agree with that.

Despite the fact that he has been woeful at times, AD does posess the natural attacking inclinations to succeed in our patern of play. He's quick, constantly looking for the opportunity to bomb forward and has a wicked cross on him. Once he's a bit more settled in the team, he could be our answer to Evra and Cole, who both took their time in showing their true worth for their current clubs.

[Frenchie]

It is gratifying to see competition for places bring the stsndard up at last.