No he didn't tbf. He said Digne said he was ill, so he was not available. That's not Digne 'opting out', that's a player not being able to train the day before a game so he was not included. Benitez tried to play politics, as he does, instead of just saying he was ill. Well, Rondon, Delph and Gray are also all ill. So clearly, it isn't a lie.
The player should play because he is the only natural option we have in the position and he happens to be very good, albeit going through rough form, not helped by the manager. A manager who insisted 'the team comes first' but then proved that is only the case for others and not himself.
I don't mind signing this lad, he could be a good player. But we do not need a left-back and should not need a left-back and the priority singing should not be a left-back, especially a 22-year-old from Dynamo Kyiv for £17m, when we are so desperate in other areas of the pitch.