"We know he can play in the middle, but, if the team needs him to play left or right, he accepts it," said Benitez. "I'd agree he is not a winger. But, then again, he is not playing as one.
"Yes, he is a central midfielder, but you need to find the balance and cutting inside and going for goal creates chances.
"He's been here for eight years and what was his best season? The last one, when he got 23 goals from playing on the right.
"If the risk of playing him on the right is 23 a season, I'll take it."