GLORY DIAZ
January signing Luis has hit the ground running at Anfield and led from the front in their amazing assault on four fronts
BY
@Maddockmirror
IT has gone a long way past mere influential games... now it is legitimate to argue that Luis Diaz has transformed Liverpool’s season.
His signing from Porto in January coincided with an upturn in form from Jurgen Klopp’s side that has blossomed into one of the greatest runs in history.
Since he arrived, the Reds have reached three finals and have dropped just two points as they chase the Premier League title.
Diaz was sensational in the Carabao Cup final against Chelsea (right, top) and equally devastating at Wembley against the might of Manchester City in the FA Cup semi-final.
The man-of-the-match list goes on. Benfica? Tick. Manchester United? Tick. The Mersey derby ( from the bench)? Double tick.
He was man of the match on Tuesday night at Villarreal (with the trophy, below) for just 45 minutes of sublime action as he guided Liverpool into a third Champions League final in five seasons.
Has a January signing ever had such a seismic impact in a Liverpool shirt?
Not Luis Suarez, who took time to settle before scoring freely. Virgil van Dijk, perhaps, in transforming Liverpool in a matter of months into Champions League finalists but Diaz has arguably done more.
Perhaps Klopp’s side would have found a way, because they showed in Spain they always do, but would they still be chasing a Quadruple? It is doubtful, and yet, according to his team-mates, there is more to come.
Left-back Andy Robertson said: “He’s been special since he came in and it’s been a pleasure to play with him.
“With a full pre-season under his belt I believe he will get better, which is scary, but what he has produced in the here and now is pretty special as well.”
To put it into context, it took Robertson six months to settle in, despite playing in the Premier League with Hull. Fabinho took time, too.
“We know how difficult it is coming into the side in January. We have tried to help him as much as we can,” Robertson added.
“The coaches have got him up to speed but he is a special, special player.
“The talent he has and the will to win – he fits us perfectly. It was tough to take Diogo Jota off against Villarreal because he has been excellent this season, but Luis came on and made a big, big difference.
“He played on the left, started pushing them back, dribbling the ball. A really good half from him.” Diaz was in tears at the end in the bearpit of El Madrigal stadium, perhaps overwhelmed at what he had achieved. His brother was in the stands, also in tears.
His journey from the La Guajira desert, where his indigenous Wayuu people exist in the most deprived region of Colombia, to Anfield is a story of triumph over discrimination.
Asked where his confidence comes from, Diaz, 25, said: “From La Guajira. It comes from my roots. I always played football in my town, in my homeland.
“They are my characteristics, they have instilled in me several things that I have today and now I have grown much more.
“Each game is a revenge. I know what it costs and I have to take advantage of every moment, every minute I have.”