Liverpool and Chile winger Mark Gonzalez has been named in the Chile squad for Wednesday's international friendly against the Republic of Ireland at Lansdowne Road.

The Chilean youngster has been on-loan at Spanish Primera Liga side Real Sociedad since his move to Liverpool last August.

The Chilean star was first refused a work-permit in a hearing by the UK Department of Education and Employment in August 2005, but Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez is confident of securing the permit and the player finally joining Liverpool this summer.

Barring any further problems regarding his work permit, Gonzalez will join Liverpool for the start of pre-season training in July.

Gonzalez's recent run-of-form has alerted a host of Spanish clubs to his talents, but Liverpool boss Benitez insists the winger is going nowhere.

Gonzalez scored five goals while on-loan that helped the Spanish strugglers avoid relegation and have turned the 21-year-old into one of the most talked-about players in the Spanish La Primera Liga.

Benitez told the LFC official website: "We have had three or four Spanish clubs asking about him because he is playing really well against good teams over there.

"I had three phone calls from chairmen in Spain wanting to buy him or take him on loan.

"But my idea is to have him here next season. The quality of the player is not in question.

"We are not thinking about selling Mark Gonzalez at all. When we decided to sign him he was injured, but we knew his quality - he is a left-winger with pace and skill and now he is showing everyone that.

"He has scored five goals and the manager of Real Sociedad has been speaking really highly of him."

An attacking winger with breakneck pace, his arrival, not only at Anfield but also into The Premiership is eagerly anticipated, and there is sure to be a lot of interest surrounding his appearance against the Republic of Ireland.

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