Liverpool are planning to re-submit a work application for Chilean winger Mark Gonzalez at the end of the season, confident that his return to top form will convince the Home Office to grant him the permit.

Liverpool paid £4.5 million last summer for the 21-year-old, but with the winger recovering from a damaged cruciate ligament and with Chile ranked outside the world's top 70, Home Office officials denied him a British work permit to play for the European Champions.

The Chilean was then sent to Spanish Primera Liga side Real Sociedad on loan and has been on stunning form.

Last weekend Basque newspaper Diario Sport wrote about his performance: "González is a revelation, a gift that has fallen from heaven."

Liverpool manager Rafael Benítez is hopeful that the appeal will be successful and is looking forward to the talented winger joining the team at Anfield.

"We are hopeful he will come in the summer because he can be an important player for us," said Benitez.

"He has pace, quality and can score, and he works very hard for the team - all qualities which will help him settle in quickly here. He works very hard for the whole 90 minutes for his team-mates.

"He was the best player on the pitch for Sociedad against Real at the Bernabéu, and that's three goals he has scored now since he joined the club," Benítez added.

"I said at the time that I was surprised by the decision not to allow him to join us.

"When you see the level at which he is playing now, I think it shows we had a good case and what a good player he actually is. You have to remember he was injured for six months and so he is improving with every game he plays, recovering his fitness and raising his level. I think he can make an impact on the Premiership. He will be a good addition to the team and we are all looking forward to him finally joining us."

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