Liverpool assistant manager Pep Lijnders has claimed that Jurgen Klopp loved Luis Diaz‘s karaoke singing during the club’s recent training camp.
Speaking via Liverpool FC’s Instagram stories for the launch of his book, Lijnders said the Liverpool’s player’s singing was very impressive. He also likened the energy from Diaz’s performance to setting the tone on the pitch during a game.
“I use this in the book as well, the power of the example,” said Lijnders. “If one of the players feels without any pressure, he receives the ball, takes it, plays one, holds it, it will create complete calmness for all the other players.
“That’s a little bit the same with karaoke. If the first one goes out there and starts singing with a passion and with a confidence and with a willingness, yeah… Luis Diaz, what a signing, a karaoke signing! The gaffer would say ‘very, very good.'”
Diaz makes an impression
Not many players have hit the ground running at Liverpool as quickly as Diaz has.
It goes beyond simply being effective on the pitch, too. His goals and assists are decent but could be better. Instead, what has impressed the most has been the way he has slotted into the side.
The 25-year-old has looked from day one as though he’s been at Liverpool for years. Off the pitch, too, he has settled incredibly quickly.
This is thanks to Liverpool’s cohort of Spanish and Portuguese speaking players. Without some players of similar backgrounds to speak to, it would definitely have been ten times as hard for Diaz.
Lijnders’ little anecdote illustrates that quite nicely as well. If the Colombian wasn’t feeling happy and positive, there’s no way he could throw together the kind of karaoke performance Pep suggests he did.
Diaz has been a bundle of energy whilst playing for Liverpool, and has been smiling non-stop in training. His teammates seem to have taken to him and the fans have too.
It’s great to hear about the Liverpool players enjoying each other’s company away from the pitch. Hopefully this can translate into more on-pitch success over the coming season and beyond.