Kostas Tsimikas admits it was hard for Liverpool without Luis Diaz

Liverpool left-back Kostas Tsimikas has admitted that it was hard for the team without the injured Luis Diaz and welcomed the Colombian back to fitness.

Diaz has been out injured since going off against Arsenal back in early October. He came back for the mid-season training camp in December, but got injured again and had to get his knee operated on.

The former Porto winger has now trained for a few days and should be available to face Leeds United on Monday night, as confirmed by Jurgen Klopp.

Kostas Tsimikas admits it was hard for Liverpool without Luis Diaz . — Kostas Tsimikas admits it was tough for the team without Luis Diaz. (Photo by Oli SCARFF / AFP)

Here’s what Tsimikas said when asked about missing Diaz and hoping he stays fit for the remaining games (h/t Liverpool FC website):

“Yeah, of course, we were so sad about Luis when he got injured again in Dubai. It was very hard for us because as a team we want him, we want his skills.

“He improved all the time with his personality all the time he played. When I played with him, because we play on the same [side of the pitch], he’s an unbelievable player and always helped me. And I help him also.

“Of course I’m very happy for this game, hopefully he plays and hopefully will be in a good shape and he can show us a little bit of the magic he showed us before he got injured.”

Although the draw against Arsenal has put Liverpool in a precarious position in terms of finishing in the top four, they are still in the race mathematically. To stay afloat, they need to win each of the nine remaining games.

Getting Diaz back after having Thiago Alcantara in the fold last week must be a massive boost for the squad and the manager.

When Diaz and Thiago start, the Reds automatically become a better team with regard to guile, speed and quality involved.

It has been a weird yet underwhelming season for everyone attached to the club. It is time for the players to give something back to the fans by winning the nine games that are remaining.

You never know, the race for finishing third and fourth is still a tight one. String a few wins in and the teams above will feel the pressure.