Forgotten Liverpool Defender Seeks Loan Move to Revive World Cup Hopes

Liverpool defender Sebastian Coates is hoping to secure a move back to his hometown club Nacional to continue his recovery from long term injury.

The 23-year-old arrived at Anfield in the summer of 2011, fresh off Copa America success with his native Uruguay in a tournament where he was also crowned Best Young Player.

Coates struggled to make an impression on Merseyside and made just 12 appearances for the club in his first two years, before a serious anterior cruciate ligament injury he suffered in August virtually ended his season.

With his spot in Uruguay's World Cup squad in danger, Coates is hoping a loan move back to his former club will provide him with the boost he needs.

"It would be beautiful to join Nacional and complete my recovery in Uruguay with my family and friends," the centre half told El Espectador 810. "The negotiations can be hard sometimes, and we have to wait a bit."

Sky Sports suggest Liverpool are willing to pay all of Coates' wages should the two clubs come to an agreement.

Given Liverpool's depth in central defensive berths a loan move away from Anfield would appear to be Coates' best option if he wants to secure valuable game time before Uruguay coach Oscar Tabarez names his squad for Brazil.

Brendan Rodgers has the options of Mamadou Sakho, Kolo Toure, Martin Skrtel and Daniel Agger at his disposal with academy duo Jon Flanagan and Martin Kelly also available.

However, many of those names have struggled with injury over the festive period and in the opening weeks of the New Year, with Agger (shin) Sakho (hamstring) and Jose Enrique (knee) still awaiting their return.

But despite the injury list, the Liverpool manager would appear to believe a spell away from the club will serve Coates better in his bid to regain his fitness.