Liverpool left-back Jose Enrique is hoping his move to Anfield can help trigger a first full international cap for Spain.
But Liverpool come first, insists uncapped defender
Liverpool left-back Jose Enrique is hoping his move to Anfield can help trigger a first full international cap for Spain.
The 25-year-old former Newcastle defender has played for his country at youth level but awaits his big break with the World Cup-winning senior squad.
Enrique has been performing well consistently for the Reds since his summer move from the Magpies and is hoping to catch the eye of national team boss Vicente del Bosque.
Asked of his potential involvement with Spain in next month's internationals, he told Liverpool's
official website: "I think if I keep improving I can be there.
"I haven't gone yet because it's really hard to go - we won the last World Cup and the last European Championships, but I hope in the future I can be there."
Del Bosque will soon name his squad for Spain's fixtures with Czech Republic and Scotland next month, but Enrique faces competition from versatile former Red Alvaro Arbeloa and Atletico Madrid's Alvaro Dominguez.
Priorities
Enrique added: "When I signed here I wanted to play Champions League football with this club and also to try and go to the national team.
"If I go I'll be happy but for me the national team is an extra. It's important but for me it's my club first."
And for his club Enrique has earned rave reviews from Liverpool fans, who have so often bemoaned their lack of defensive quality in the left-back position.
The Spaniard, though, is taking little for granted: "To get the fans with you, you have to play well. At the moment I think I've done well but I can do better.
"I have to improve of course. Sometimes I think about my mistakes and I want to kick myself.
"I'm like every person - I know when I've done good things and I know when I've done bad things. In football it's the same. I always think about my mistakes."
