LIVERPOOL midfielder Javier Mascherano believes fellow Argentinean Emiliano Insua will prove to be a big hit at Anfield next season.

Insua made 13 appearances last season and Mascherano believes the 20-year-old can beat off competition from Fabio Aurelio and Andrea Dossena to establish himself as the first choice left-back.

“He’s been doing well,” said Mascherano, whose association with another Argentinean, Lionel Messi, is looking to be exploited as a bargaining tool by Barcelona in the current transfer window.

“Obviously he is a young player so can still improve and get better.

“It isn’t easy to be playing for the Liverpool first team at just 20. I’m really happy for him.”

Insua joined Liverpool on loan from Boca Juniors in January 2007 but the deal was made permanent later that year and he has impressed his team-mates with his determination to make the grade.

“Emiliano didn’t play first-team football in Argentina, so to come here at such a young age and make the breakthrough is a great achievement,” Mascherano added: “It would have been easier for him had he played first-team football in Argentina. Everything was new to Insua when he came here. But after just two years he is playing really well whenever he gets into the first team.”

Meanwhile, Real Madrid have continued their controversial public courting of Xabi Alonso with Kaka urging his new club to sign the Liverpool midfielder.

The former World and European player of the year, who has moved from AC Milan for £56million, said: “I’ve played against Xabi Alonso in two European Cup finals. He’s an excellent player and also Spanish. He would be very welcome.”