Mohamed Salah cited as Liverpool hit by crushing new blow – ‘this is a problem, it’s a big miss’, says pundit
Liverpool will continue to struggle as long as Luis Diaz stays on the sidelines amid an update on his fitness.
That’s according to former Hibernian striker Tam McManus, speaking exclusively to Football Insider about the attacker’s latest setback.
Diaz was due to return this month from a knee injury he suffered in Liverpool’s 3-2 defeat to Arsenal at the Emirates in October.
However, BBC Sport reported on 14 December that the 25-year-old has suffered a setback and will now be out for a further three months after undergoing surgery on his knee.
McManus claims the Reds’ lack of squad depth means replacing Diaz’s output is almost impossible.
“This is why Liverpool have been struggling,” McManus told Football Insider‘s Ben Wild.
“Key players have been out for weeks or months and haven’t been able to make an impact. Lots of injuries will affect a team in a negative way, that’s obvious.
“We saw it with Liverpool a few years ago when Van Dijk got injured and the defence just didn’t look the same. It’s different this time because it is an attacker.
“Liverpool spent big on Diaz because Klopp saw him as an instrumental part of the side. As soon as he came in he proved why they were right to spend the money.
“He also started this season really well before that injury. I remember he was the bright spark when Salah was looking a bit lost.
“Liverpool don’t really have a backup for Diaz either, and you probably have to say this is a problem for them.
“They have players who can come in but no one who can replace what he offers.
“It’s a huge miss for them.”
In other news, the Liverpool takeover price has soared after confirmed news from overseas.