LIVERPOOL coach Paco Herrera today tipped Chilean winger Mark Gonzalez to force his way straight into the senior side when he finally moves to Anfield.
Gonzalez has nearly recovered from a cruciate knee operation, but he faces an anxious wait before realising his dream to sign for the Reds in January.
An initial work permit application was rejected, although Liverpool are hoping a fresh approach to the department of employment will be successful.
If not, Gonzalez will still sign from Albacete next summer when he becomes a European citizen.
Joint reserve team boss and chief scout Herrera is the man who urged manager Rafa Benitez to sign the 21-year-winger.
"I worked at Albacete a year before Mark Gonzalez signed, but I know the player very well," said Herrera.
"There were a lot of recommendations made to me about him and I've watched the player many times. He has a lot of speed and has great strength of character and heart.
"Everyone who's seen him says he is a rough diamond who needs to be polished and I think he is good enough to go straight into the first team."
Gonzalez's application was turned down because Chile aren't ranked in the world's top 70. They drew 1-1 with Columbia at the weekend, but won't have moved up significantly before January.
However, Benitez hopes the scouting recommendations, and the fact Gonzalez is only six months away from receiving a European passport, will help his case.
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