Gary Neville was full of praise for Luis Diaz’s involvement in Curtis Jones’ first goal for Liverpool against Leicester City, with the winger reminding the pundit of Sadio Mane.
Speaking on Monday Night Football, the former Manchester United captain lauded the Colombian international after his darting run from Alisson Becker’s long-ball set the wheels in motion for Jones to score his first of two goals against the Foxes.
Despite a largely unimpressive performance, Diaz’s role in Liverpool getting off the mark was crucial, and for Neville, the 26-year-old’s run to win Alisson’s long-ball reminded the Sky Sports pundit of Sadio Mane, the player the South American was signed to replace.
Although Diaz has missed most of the season through injury, there is growing confidence among supporters that the attacker will be a starter for Liverpool in the new campaign, and Neville’s comments will do a lot in building the Colombian’s case.
Neville said on Diaz’s role in Jones’ opening goal: “This is delicious from Salah. Brilliant from Jones. When Liverpool were at their very best you think of Mane and Salah making those runs from out to in, Diaz does it brilliantly there. Classic Klopp goal, classic Liverpool goal.”
Leicester performance will help Diaz return to Liverpool best
Diaz’s display against Leicester might not have been the forward’s best since his return from injury, but it’s clear that the winger is on the right path to recovery, and the attacker will take a lot from his performance at the King Power Stadium tonight.
The Colombian will be back to his best come the start of next season, and Jurgen Klopp taking time this campaign to get Diaz up to scratch is a smart decision from the Liverpool coach, who knows just how good the forward can become in the new year.
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