Liverpool are making solid moves in the transfer window ahead of next season. The Anfield giants are not relaxing as they want to make an impressive showing. One of the challenges Liverpool has faced is the lack of quality depth.
Injuries to some players have shown the club to lack in that regard, and Jurgen Klopp has gotten busy ahead of next season. It is something of a miracle that in the absence of two vital players to Liverpool, they have managed to keep Manchester City within reach. The Premier League giants are nine points behind Manchester City but have a game in hand. Should they win their match in hand, the gap comes down to six points. It leaves the defending champions little room for error.
Liverpool should be back to full strength in about a week, with the expected return of Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah from the Africa Cup of Nations. The return of the two players coincides with the business end of the season as the UEFA Champions League returns in two weeks.
Meanwhile, Liverpool’s new signing Luis Diaz has received his jersey number amid his arrival.
Luis Diaz receives jersey number
Tottenham had been interested in signing Luis Diaz from Porto as Conte looked to bolster his squad. Spurs' interest galvanized Liverpool, who had held an interest in the player to make a quick move. The Premier League giants were able to beat Spurs to his signature.
Diaz will arrive at Merseyside later in the week after a vital World Cup qualifier between Colombia and Argentina in Cordoba on Tuesday night.
The 25-year-old winger signed for the Reds on a five-and-half-year contract after turning down the opportunity to join Spurs. Following his transfer from Porto, Liverpool has confirmed the Colombian’s squad number.
Following his successful medical in South America, Diaz will wear the No. 23 shirt as per the club’s website.
Players who have held the number
The number 23 was worn by Liverpool greats, and Diaz would feel a sense of responsibility to perform in that shirt. The immediate past owner of the number was Swiss playmaker Xherdan Shaqiri. The Swiss left for Ligue 1 side Lyon in the summer.
Other players who have worn this number are Anfield legends Robbie Fowler and Jamie Carragher. Ex-Liverpool midfielder Emre Can also wore the number during his time at Anfield.
With Diaz in South America, doubts remain over the availability of the winger for the FA Cup fourth-round tie against Championship side Cardiff next Sunday afternoon. The Colombian is in a race to make his debut in the game.
Premier League matches come in thick and fast after the FA Cup tie. Jurgen Klopp will lead his side against Leicester City and Burnley. The Premier League matches will predate a vital first-leg Champions League last-16 tie against Serie A leaders Inter Milan. Liverpool also have a date with Chelsea in the final of the Carabao Cup on February 27. It makes for a chance for Diaz to win silverware early in his Liverpool career.
By :
Steven D. Thompson
