Source: Eurosport
Mixed feelings for Rafa
Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez has mixed feelings about his players going away for the current international break.
The Spaniard is delighted young left-back Emiliano Insua's form for the club this season has been recognised with a first call-up for Argentina, but he is less enamoured by the fact that Holland internationals Dirk Kuyt and Ryan Babel have had to travel halfway around the world for a friendly against Australia in Sydney.
"It is very good news for him and for us," said Benitez on Insua's selection for crucial World Cup qualifiers against Uruguay and Peru. "He is a young player who is doing well for us. When you talk about young players, the idea is to try to promote them.
"Emiliano was a very good signing by our scouting department - a young player with potential and quality - and it was very good business because the price was good."
Benitez would have liked to keep Kuyt and Babel on Merseyside, and Liverpool even approached the Dutch Football Association about the situation.
"We tried to talk with the Dutch Federation but they have the right to call the players up for these games," said the Reds boss. "We tried to find some kind of solution but it was impossible. It is not an ideal situation for them to travel to Australia for a friendly."
