Onlookers at Liverpool’s training pitch were shocked by injured star Luis Diaz’s unexpected new role. The Colombian has not played since October 10, when the Reds lost 3-2 to Arsenal. Diaz sustained a knee injury during that defeat, and is yet to recover fully. Initially expected to return after the mid-season World Cup break, he has been out ever since after suffering a fresh setback while training in Dubai.
Luis Diaz, however, has resumed training with Liverpool and might play against Manchester City on Saturday. The winger is likely to receive playing time in the upcoming weeks since games against Chelsea and Arsenal are scheduled to be played within a short period of time after this weekend’s match as the Reds fight for a top four finish in a season marred with disappointments.
Luis Diaz took up as the Reds’ unofficial tour guide during rehab
Luis Diaz has reportedly been so determined to rejoin the first team, in fact, that he spent some of the international break training with the club’s academy and continued his rehabilitation, according to the Echo. His delay in returning to the pitch has most definitely not been the result of a lack of trying, since reports from the club’s training facility indicate that Diaz has left spectators in amazement with his resolve to get back to full fitness.
The 26-year-old has been receiving treatment separately from the rest of the team, but he has made every effort to rejoin the team as soon as possible, as shown by his behaviour near the club’s Kirkby headquarters. Despite being sidelined for six months due to injury, Luis Diaz has persisted in captivating the Reds’ fans off the pitch.
The Liverpool Echo claims that Diaz gave unofficial tours of the club’s training facilities to Liverpool fans over the holiday break. According to the report, the former Porto winger used the gym at the AXA on his days off and gave some of his fans an unofficial tour of the facility when they ran into him during a rehab session.
Despite the fact that no members of the first team were planned to be at the base that day, Luis Diaz was encountered by fans taking an impromptu tour of the training facility after an LFC Foundation event that had taken place earlier that morning. The meeting came Ahead of Christmas, a few weeks before the attacker’s break down in Dubai and subsequent need for knee surgery.
Right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold mentioned the special ‘spark’ Luis Diaz can infuse prior to Liverpool’s top-four race, demonstrating the real enthusiasm surrounding his comeback following a protracted absence. The England international told Liverpool’s official website:
“He’s a top player, a top lad. It’s been a tough season for him to see him out so much. But he’s back, he’s back smiling, he’s enjoying his football, so that’s all you can ask [for]. With a player like that, he brings enthusiasm to the team and brings a spark that not many players have. It’s exciting to have him back.”
Despite the fact that Diaz has the ability to decide games on his own, there shouldn’t be any pressure put on him since it will take him some time to get back into his usual groove after a five-month absence. Luis Diaz had scored four goals in his first 12 games for the cub before going out injured, making him one of the Reds’ standout players early in the season.