Jurgen Klopp eyes Luis Diaz as new target in ‘absolutely horrible’ confession

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has reflected on Luis Diaz’s injury and explained why he misses the Colombian winger so badly.

Jurgen Klopp has explained exactly what Liverpool have been missing from Luis Diaz as the winger prepares to continue his recovery from a serious injury.

Diaz missed 31 games after suffering a knee problem in October that eventually required surgery when the situation worsened on his return to training at the mid-season training camp in Dubai two months later.

Since returning to action a month ago, the Colombia international has been part of all of Liverpool’s winning streaks in their last six games, including the starting XI against Tottenham Hotspur – in which he scored a nice impromptu volley – and Fulham.

Diaz is hoping for another Premier League appearance on Monday at Leicester City as he prepares for his first 90-minute appearance since beating Rangers at home in the Champions League more than six months ago.

And Klopp explained why the 26-year-old’s absence has hit the Reds so hard in a difficult season that has left them with little chance of Champions League qualification. “He’s a natural player,” said the Reds boss. “I love him, absolutely love him. He’s amazing. He’s so smart in football, moves in all the right areas, defends naturally from his position, goal threat, speed, brutal. I have to say a very, very special player. We missed him a lot.

“We also missed Diogo Jota – everyone saw how good he was when he came back. Bobby (Firmino) has a small injury here and there, Darwin (Nunez) is new which of course is very difficult to integrate into a team, especially when you finish situations. The other guys have a lot of moments to create – we haven’t created much, or not enough, or not clearly enough.

“There are a few explanations for our situation, but you have to take life as it is and make the most of it, and that’s what you do in football.”

In an interview with Premier League Productions, Klopp reflected on Diaz’s return saying: ‘Fantastic’. We’re so excited about it, we’ve always been excited.

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“The thing is he had to sit out after getting injured in the game against Arsenal – a very strange game by the way – and came back when he was in training camp during the World Cup in Dubai, so we all thought, ‘Finally back.’

“He trained exceptionally, absolutely exceptionally, and he just slipped on the grass a bit, felt something, carried on, everything is fine. After training: ‘Yeah, I feel a little bit. Let’s see. ” Another scanner that’s been down for another three months or whatever. Terrible, absolutely terrible.

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