Friday 3 November 2017 17:57, UK
Alberto Moreno has been called up to the Spain squad three years after he last made an appearance for the national side.
The Liverpool left-back will fight with Barcelona's Jordi Alba for a starting spot after Julen Lopetegui named Moreno in his squad for friendlies against Costa Rica and Russia.
Moreno's selection has come despite Liverpool's defensive frailties on the road this season, where the Reds have conceded 15 goals in five games.
The Spaniard was widely criticised for his performance in the 2016 Europa League Final and his chances of returning to the national side looked slim.
But he has held down a first-team place under Jurgen Klopp so far this term and it has earned him a recall to the national squad, and an opportunity to fight for a seat on the plane to Russia for next year's World Cup.
Cesar Azpilicueta, Nacho Monreal and Pedro are among the Premier League players to miss out, but David De Gea, David Silva and Alvaro Morata all feature in the manager's plans.
Both Azpilicueta and Monreal were available for selection to compete with Moreno for the full-back spot, but the Liverpool man has done enough to convince Lopetegui that he deserves another chance.
Lopetegui could experiment with his selection, given that he made a whole host of changes in Spain's last outing against Israel, with Real Sociedad's Asier Illarramendi giving the Spaniards a 1-0 win in Jerusalem.
