Liverpool’s Moreno given Spain recall

MADRID- 3 November 2017: Alberto Moreno's remarkable turnaround in fortunes this season continued on Friday after he was named by Julen Lopetegui as part of the Spain squad for upcoming friendlies against Costa Rica and Russia.

The Liverpool full back started just two Premier League games last season. However, he has enjoyed a fine start to the current campaign, playing eight league games and notching up three assists in four Champions League outings for the Reds.

"He's in great form, he's starting every week for Liverpool. He fits into what we want from a full back and I know him from the age group squads," Lopetegui said of the 25-year-old. "It's a great chance to see him with us and come to a decision on him."

Moreno won the last of his three Spain caps in May 2014 and will be looking to make a late push for the 2010 winners' World Cup squad.

Luis Alberto, a former team mate of Moreno's at Liverpool, has also seen his fine start to the season with Lazio in Italy's Serie A rewarded with a first senior call up.

There was no room, however, for Diego Costa, the Chelsea striker who will officially be registered as an Atletico Madrid player in January.

Gerard Pique, who was booed during the last round of international fixtures following his public backing of Catalonia's illegal referendum on independence, has been included as has Barcelona team mate Andres Iniesta, despite missing matches in the past fortnight with a thigh strain.