Emiliano Insua
Liverpool’s Premier League title assault has been dealt a blow with news that Emiliano Insua will miss the next five games.
The promising defender has been called up to Argentina’s squad for the under-20 South American championships. The three week tournament takes place in Venezuela later this month.
Insua has started the last four games for the Reds and has impressed in an unbeaten spell for the Premier League leaders. He looked to have cemented himself into Rafa’s plans for the foreseeable future.
The left-back will now miss Liverpool’s game against Stoke this coming Saturday, as well as a double header with city rivals Everton, a trip to Wigan and a top of the table Anfield clash with Chelsea.
The call comes as a sign of the full-back’s stock rising for both his club and country this season. Insua, who turns 20 on January 7, has held off competition at Liverpool from Brazilian Fabio Aurelio and Italian Andrea Dossena.
He is also tipped to take over from Gabriel Heinze for Diego Maradona’s Argentina in time for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.
However, missing this spell of games for Liverpool could send him down the pecking order for the Premier League title hopefuls once again.
The under-20 South American championships are keenly watched by scouts from the biggest clubs in Europe as it is regarded as a hotbed of cheap talent.
This year’s tournament will run from January 19 through till the final on February 8.
The Merseysiders will also be represented at the tournament by reserve team defender Ronald Huth of Paraguay.
© Timothy Sturtridge & Soccerphile.com