Luis Diaz made his debut as a Liverpool player in yesterday’s win against Cardiff City.
The Colombian only arrived on Merseyside on Friday. But he showed himself to be in good shape following the international break. As a result, Jurgen Klopp saw fit to gave him the last half an hour at Anfield.
With the score at 1-0, Diaz harangued Cardiff defender Perry Ng into a mistake on the touchline. He showed brilliant quick feet and awareness to keep the ball in play and square for Takumino Minamino to effectively kill the game.
That gave Liverpool fans the perfect introduction to Diaz. But it wasn’t all smooth sailing.
Hearts in mouths for Liverpool fans
After going up for a header with Cardiff defender Aden Flint, Diaz looked in considerable pain upon landing. You could heart hearts dropping all over Anfield as the 25-year-old clutched at his knee.
Luckily, replays showed it was a stud in the knee from Flint that had done the damage. It was a huge relief to see Diaz back on his feet and tearing around the pitch a few minutes later.
Speaking to beIN Sports after the game, Klopp said he also feared the worst when he saw his new signing down hurt.
“I went down and had a look on the screen and saw that nothing happened when he landed,” said the manager. “Just then the biggest fella of Cardiff, Flint I think stepped on his knee.”
But having realised it was nothing serious, Klopp and the Liverpool squad saw the funny side of the situation.
“He has now a scar there and probably a bruise, we will see. When we saw it in the dressing room everybody said welcome to England!” smiled Klopp, before confirming that it is unlikely to keep Diaz out of action.
“I think it was lucky in that moment, or unlucky that it even happened but then lucky that I don’t think it will be anything serious,” he said.
A surprise debut
There was excitement around Liverpool fans that Diaz could make his debut yesterday. But given Klopp’s track-record of easing new player’s in slowly, it seemed an outside shot that the £37.5m man would see any action.
It was, therefore, a surprise to see Diaz firstly in the matchday squad and then coming on with Harvey Elliott just before the hour.
Liverpool weren’t looking particularly assured at 1-0 up. It was a small gamble from the manager to throw his new signing into a situation that could have gone very differently.
But Diaz managed to contribute immediately and helped to make it a very positive day for The Reds.
As far as precedents go, Liverpool fans will remember Virgil Van Dijk’s instant impact on debut in the FA Cup.
The big Dutcaman’s headed winner in the third round against Everton in 2018 was a sign of things to come. Let’s hope Diaz’s promising debut is a the start of an equally brilliant Liverpool career.
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