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Liverpool has new Sadio Mané as Jürgen Klopp handed major boost amid emotional message
Liverpool has won the first cup of the 2023-24 campaign. There wasn’t a bad performance across the young squad that was relied upon at Wembley, but one of the glowing positives was the display from one of the few senior options available.
Luis Díaz has had a difficult period at the club both on and off the pitch, though recent performances indicate he is getting back to his best form. The Colombian was exhausted by the end of the 120 minutes against Chelsea, and despite not registering a goal or an assist, he delivered a performance that bodes well for the remainder of the campaign.
A bright run of form has seen him register seven goals in his last 11 matches for the club, and it was clear that he was full of confidence on Sunday. Díaz had the most touches of any Liverpool player in the opposition’s box (11), while also registering four key passes and five dribbles across the 120 minutes.
Without scoring, Díaz was a regular threat down the left flank, and he had the respect of Chelsea’s defenders who backed off when he attacked them directly. There were also positive signs of link-up play between him, Cody Gakpo, and Conor Bradley — who found him at the back post in the first half.
The 27-year-old continued to work hard throughout the match and in extra time down the left — even when Liverpool had a youthful side on before deservedly going on to lift the trophy, which was the third major title of Díáz’s Liverpool career. By the end, he could hardly walk, let alone run, as he hobbled around the field.
The Colombian, speaking to Sky Sports on the pitch after the game, said: “It was a very tough match, and big matches are played this way. We were very tired in the end, but we were able to deliver the result and I knew we would do it. We knew it was going to be a challenge, but we prepared really well.
🦶 Luis Diaz had more touches in Chelsea box (11) than Chelsea had in the Liverpool box (6) in the first half of the #CarabaoCupFinal #CHELIV pic.twitter.com/i4OXk9rSnh
— WhoScored.com (@WhoScored) February 25, 2024
“I dedicate this title to my mum and dad. For everything they went through, it makes it so much more special to win this title and to be able to celebrate it with them.”
Jürgen Klopp pointed towards a difficult upcoming clash on Wednesday, In which another glimpse of a youthful side is likely against Southampton in the FA Cup. It is unclear whether Díáz will be able to feature after playing 120 minutes. And with no Diogo Jota available, a week off will be important for the Colombian, whose focus now will be on preparing for next weekend’s match against Nottingham Forest.
Now looking like the player who forced Carlo Ancelotti to conjure a specific game plan during the Champions League final in 2022 between Liverpool and Real Madrid, Díaz, who some were beginning to doubt, is showing everyone why he has always been the answer to replace Sadio Mané.
The Colombian winger showed some real quality here — and then ample grit and determination beyond that. If he can be something like his best for the remainder of the campaign, that would be a major boost for the run-in. It appears that could well be on the cards.
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