Former Liverpool defender Stephen Warnock believes that ‘there are signs’ of ex-Anfield favourite Luis Suarez in the latest arrival.
Signed from FC Porto for an initial £37.5million during the January transfer window (BBC), Luis Diaz made a scintillating debut during a cameo outing against Cardiff City in the FA Cup.
Already receiving glowing praise from manager Jurgen Klopp, Diaz would appear to have settled in on Meryseide very quickly.
Speaking to the Football Show on Sky Sports, Warnock claimed that the 25-year-old has some of the hallmarks of a former Liverpool superstar.
There were people saying, early stages, that there are signs of Suarez. The way he moved. The way he shifted the ball so quickly. The way he closed down. Listen, let’s not carried away yet. He was some player. But he is an exceptional talent. He is someone Liverpool players would have been aware of because he caused them problems when playing against them for Porto.
Prior to making the switch late in the mid-season window, Diaz had scored 16 times and provided six assists in 29 appearances this season.
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High praise indeed.
Whilst most Kopites would be content to see Diaz emulate even a fraction of Suarez’s 82 goals and 47 assists as a Red, there is no doubting they have arrived to perform different responsibilities.
Predominantly operating as a left-winger, the Colombian star looks certain to play a leading role in Klopp’s plans despite facing fierce competition from Sadio Mane.
With the Senegalese hero still celebrating an AFCON success, Diaz could be in line for a full debut against Leicester City tonight (Thursday, February 10).