Sources: Liverpool star Luis Diaz back earlier than expected
Liverpool expect Luis Diaz to be back earlier than initially expected from his knee injury, sources have told Football Insider.
The wide forward, 25, is making good progress in his recovery from the injury sustained in the 3-2 defeat to Arsenal on 9 October.
Liverpool are confident Diaz will be back in training within weeks and be able to play a full part in their mid-season training camp in Dubai during the World Cup.
The Colombia international will not play before the cut-off on 12 November, which will be Liverpool’s final match before the Boxing Day showdown against Aston Villa.
But it is believed medical staff at the club expect him to be back in full training well before then and to be in contention to make a playing return when the season resumes after Christmas.
The wide man was initially ruled out for around three months by Liverpool after he broke down in the first half of the Arsenal match at Emirates Stadium.
Dias’ cutting edge has been sorely missed during his absence even though Liverpool’s attacking issues pale in comparison with their midfield and defensive issues.
The loss of Diaz, shortly followed by Diogo Jota’s injury, has deprived Jurgen Klopp of two elite forwards and meant a heavier reliance on Mohamed Salah, Darwin Nunez and Roberto Firmino.
The Colombian’s injury is not as serious as Jota’s, whose rehabilitation could stretch well into the new year.
Diaz has been a shining light since signing from Porto in January for a fee of around £50million and was arguably the team’s outstanding performer this season before his injury.
In other news, Salah could ‘quit Liverpool’ as ‘huge offer’ expected.