[lfc-news] Benitez: Door not closed on Diarra - Echo

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Liverpool Echo, 14 Oct 2004
Benitez: Door not closed on Diarra
By Chris Bascombe, Liverpool Echo

RAFAEL BENITEZ says French international midfielder Alou Diarra can force
his way back into Liverpool's plans if his current progress continues.

Diarra (right) was a shock inclusion in France's squad for this week's
World Cup qualifiers.

He made substitute appearances in both Saturday's 0-0 draw with the
Republic of Ireland and last night's 2-0 win in Cyprus.

Diarra, currently on a year's loan at Lens, has made a big impact across
the Channel, unlike other players Liverpool have sent back to the country
such as Anthony Le Tallec and Bruno Cheyrou, neither of whom have been
regulars for either St Etienne or Auxerre.

The 23-year-old defensive midfielder's success has taken many by surprise.

He was signed on a free transfer from Bayern Munich two years ago but has
never played a senior game at Anfield.

He was loaned to Le Havre last season and returned to France again on loan
this summer.

Since then, he's earned his international call-up as Patrick Vieira's
understudy.

Benitez says watching Diarra play regularly for Lens is the best way of
assessing his ability since he was unlikely to figure much at Anfield this
year.

"We are watching all the players we have out on loan and checking the level
they're playing," said Benitez..

"Our scouts are making sure we get reports on how they're doing.

"After that, we can decide on what we will do in the future. Alou Diarra
was here in the summer but we thought that at this moment we have enough
players who can play in his position, central midfield, which is why he's
on loan.

"But he's shown he's not a bad player. He is doing very well. It's good for
him and good for us he is playing well as we look to the future"

Benitez has no plans to cut Diarra's loan spell short in January, but is
urging the youngster to maintain his improvement ahead of next year.

He added: "I think it's still early days for him, but it's good news for us
to see a young player doing so well. If he continues to play well for his
club and is in the national team, we will be reminding everyone he is our
player."

* Tickets for Liverpool's Champions League game at Anfield against
Deportivo la Coruna next Tuesday are currently on general sale.


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