DIAZ OF THUNDER
Robertson hails epic impact of late arrival
IF THERE has been a better January signing than Colombian Luis Diaz, Andy Robertson, for one, has not seen it.
That much was evident in the gushing tribute paid by the full-back to the impact made by the forward in Liverpool’s pulsating secondhalf comeback against Villarreal on Tuesday night. And it was evident in his contention, bordering on warning, that if Liverpool fans think he has done well so far, just wait until next season when he gets his feet under the table. Robertson used the word “scary” to describe how much more Diaz might have in his locker. “With a full pre-season under his belt I believe he will get better, which is scary,” Robertson said. “But what he has produced in the here and now is pretty special as well. He complements us perfectly.”
Diaz’s exciting secondhalf intervention had a transformative effect on the Champions League semifinal against Villarreal.
But it was the latest staging post in a remarkable season since his arrival from Porto for an initial payment of £37.5million.
Also negotiated in the deal were £12.5m in performancerelated add-ons, and the way things are going Liverpool will gladly be wiring a significant portion of that to Porto come the summer.
Diaz plays with a freedom of expression that is exciting, even if Jurgen Klopp was frustrated by an attempted bicycle kick on goal when he had the space to chest it down late in the game.
But the Liverpool manager will almost certainly do little to knock that effervescence from his game. Robertson said: “The talent he has and the will to win just fits us perfectly.
“Luis came on and made a big, big difference. He played on the left, started pushing them back dribbling the ball. He’s been special since he arrived.” Arriving in January into the Premier League can be difficult, but few players have had a bigger impact. Virgil van Dijk had a similar impact from the midway point of the 2018-19 season and Bruno Fernandes, below left, was perhaps the last example of a player jumping out of the blocks when moving to Manchester United from Sporting Lisbon.
But where United have faltered since, Diaz has provided a turbo boost to an already purring machine, with Klopp’s side dropping just two points since his arrival.
Robertson said: “We know how difficult it is coming into the side in January. We tried to help him as much as we can. The coaches and everyone else have got him up to speed, but he is a special, special player.”
Pundits, like players and coaches, were unanimous in their praise for a player who many feel has already earned the right to start in the Champions League final.
Klopp may be tempted to use him from the bench again but the fact that discussion is being had just two months and 29 days into his Anfield career says it all.