Klopp comments on Diaz

Liverpool’s January transfer window may have given them an important advantage as they prepare for their Champions League quarter-final clash with Benfica, even though they only signed one player. But that player is Luis Diaz, who proved to be an important part of Klopp’s side shortly after arriving here. The Reds bought Diaz from Porto, one of Benfica’s biggest rivals, for £37.5m.

 Diaz has experience against Benfica.

The winger spent two and a half years at Porto, facing Benfica seven times in all competitions. He has impressive statistics against this opponent, scoring 5 goals and has 2 assists without losing a single match.

Klopp could capitalize on that charm by bringing the Colombian back into the starting line-up, having picked Diogo Jota on the left flank in the win over Watford. Klopp could also use Diaz in another way as the 25-year-old has already spent the first half of the season in the Primeira Liga. Diaz will have knowledge of the opposition and be able to share it with his Liverpool teammates. The winger was part of the squad that won 3-1 over Benfica earlier this season.

Klopp himself is aware of this advantage: ” With Vitor Matos and Pep Lijnders, Diogo Jota and Luis, we have enough Portuguese football experts on our team. But we still analyze as usual. We’ve met the boys. Now we have to make sure we make good use of them.”

 Diaz will make an important contribution to Liverpool’s title races.

“There’s a lot of quality in this Benfica squad. It’s been an interesting challenge. I’m really pleased and I’m really looking forward to it. We all know just one defeat, a little mistake, every title can disappear. It doesn’t matter to us, we’re just ready for the next challenge.”

Klopp himself has admitted a slip could spell disaster for Liverpool’s quadruple hopes, with Diaz’s presence going to be a key advantage. The Colombian will act as a key panel for Liverpool’s pre-Benfica plans.