Injury blow for Liverpool as first XI ace is ruled out till March 2023

Liverpool winger Luis Diaz out until March after knee surgery

Luis Diaz is out until sometime in March after the recurrence of the injury he picked up against Arsenal in Liverpool’s league loss to them early in October. Initially out for a period of eight weeks, the issue rebounded in the Reds’ mid-season camp in Dubai, from where Diaz had to fly back to Merseyside.

It is a big jolt to the side as Diaz was one of the most in-form players on the squad before his injury and the Reds have dearly missed his presence on the pitch since. Diaz joined the Reds from Porto last January and has made an instant impact in the Premier League, and one would hope for him to grow beyond his predecessor Sadio Mane.

According to The Athletic, Diaz has now had surgery on his lateral collateral ligament and is unlikely to play again before March. As a reason, Liverpool could look to bolster their front three, as even Diogo Jota stands sidelined due to an injury, and the Reds could find themselves understaffed in that aspect.

In 12 appearances across all competitions this season, he has four goals and three assists. The Reds do not have a recognised left-winger to fill in the void Diaz has left due to his injury. Curtis Jones and Fabio Carvalho have filled in that role, but they do not possess the pace of a winger.

Lucho missing for the Reds

The Reds could benefit from buying a player for every department; defence, midfield and attack as only a single injury in any of those departments makes it feel like the Reds are extremely short-handed.

There is always the possibility of trying out a new formation to suit the best available XI, but only time will tell what the Reds’ next move could be. Liverpool’s first competitive game after the international break will be against Manchester City on 22nd December in the EFL Cup.

There is no doubt that Lucho will be a huge miss for the Reds, but such is the nature of the game, as it has to go on and the Reds would need to find themselves a suitable short-term replacement for the same.

More Liverpool News:

• Luis Diaz leaves Liverpool training camp after injury setback
• Petr Cech says Liverpool goalie Alisson Becker has been fantastic for Brazil in the 2022 FIFA World Cup
• Barcelona eye Liverpool transfer target and Borussia Dortmund striker Youssoufa Moukoko

The Reds will need to go full throttle once the season restarts as they did not have the best start to their campaign. The break gave most Reds a wonderful opportunity to take a break from the game, and hopefully, we see a much improved Liverpool in the latter stages of the league campaign, as well as Europe.