Luis Diaz tipped to replace Liverpool ‘superstar’ after confirmed news – pundit
Jurgen Klopp could axe one of his Liverpool “superstars” against Brighton tomorrow with Luis Diaz “deserving” of a place in the starting XI, according to Noel Whelan.
The former Leeds striker, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, hailed the “brilliant” 25-year-old for “hitting the ground running” at Anfield.
Diaz has impressed during his nine Liverpool appearances thus far but managed just nine minutes as Klopp’s side were beaten 1-0 in the Champions League by Inter Milan on Tuesday (8 March).
As quoted by Anfield Watch in today’s pre-Brighton press conference (11 March), the German hailed the winger’s “brilliant” start to life and claimed he has been “everything you could wish for” since arriving.
Whelan insisted Sadio Mane and Diogo Jota will have to be “on their toes” after a wasteful display in midweek.
“There’s no doubt he’s hit the ground running,” he told Football Insider‘s Russell Edge.
“He’s one of these players who is capable of getting you on the edge of your seat – he’s brilliant to watch.
“The style played by Liverpool and Jurgen Klopp suits him down to the ground. Diaz is showing all the energy and quality we knew he possessed.
“You’re looking at Mane and Jota, and they’re going to have to be on their toes.
“Liverpool missed a lot of chances against Inter. The only saving grace was that they managed to get through, and that’s all that matters in cup competitions.
“Diaz probably deserves to start, but that means Klopp will have to drop one of his superstars.”
Diaz scored his first Liverpool goal in the victory over Norwich last month (19 February).
He joined the Merseysiders for a reported initial fee of £37million in January.
In other news, pundit predicts attacker will be fuming after Liverpool injury update.