John Barnes feels Luis Diaz will be important for Liverpool when he returns

Speaking to Apostagolos (h/t Liverpool Echo), Liverpool legend John Barnes feels the returning Luis Diaz will be important for the Reds when he is back available for selection.

Diaz has not played a single minute of football since going off against Arsenal in early October. The initial diagnosis kept him out until December before another setback hit him during the mid-season training camp.

The Colombian subsequently had to undergo knee surgery in December that was scheduled to keep him out until the end of February. The 26-year-old returned to grass last week running on his own. It will take another couple of weeks before he can train with the first-team squad.

Here’s what Barnes said when asked about the importance of Diaz when he returns to full fitness (h/t Liverpool Echo):

“He [Diaz] has been fantastic for Liverpool and it was very unfortunate that he got injured. But Roberto Firmino and Diogo Jota have also been injured, so Liverpool has been affected not only by his injury but by a lot of injuries.

“But Liverpool has a lot of great players up front and you could even argue that there are too many players when all the attacking players are fit.

“But Luis Diaz will be very important when he returns and he got injured at a really bad time for Liverpool.”

Given the fact that Diaz was one of Liverpool’s best players at the beginning of the season, his absence has been a big blow for the team and Jurgen Klopp.

In fact, since arriving from Porto in January last year, the Colombian has added spark on the left wing like no other. He had 10 goals and eight assists in 38 appearances for the Reds before picking up that bad injury.

The 26-year-old was included in the Champions League squad for the knockout stage keeping in mind that he could be fit to play the second leg of the last-16 tie against Real Madrid at the Bernabeu.

With the Reds trailing by three goals when they go there, it would be beneficial to have Diaz’s pace on the left-hand side with the physical presence of Cody Gakpo or Diogo Jota in the middle and the all-round game of Mohamed Salah on the right.

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Even if he doesn’t play the second leg, there are enough important games in the league left. Liverpool still have a chance to finish fourth, and getting the Colombian back will help in that push.