Luis Diaz produced a game-changing cameo for Liverpool tonight as Jurgen Klopp’s side moved into the final of the Champions League.
Liverpool were trailing 2-0 to Villarreal on the night at half time, with an inspirational first-half display from the hosts levelling up the tie on aggregate.
However, the Reds manager brought Diaz on for Diogo Jota after an awful opening 45 minutes from the Premier League outfit.
And the Colombia international, who only joined the Anfield club in January, turned the game on its head, scoring one of their three second-half goals.
Not only that, but Diaz injected much more urgency and purpose into a Liverpool attack that was relatively lifeless when Jota was up front.
It could and probably should have ended 4-2 on the night – and 6-2 overall – but Curtis Jones, with his first touch, had his effort saved by a sprawling Geronimo Rulli.
A spectacular save and potential atonement for not covering himself in glory for the earlier three goals but, still, the Liverpool midfielder should’ve scored – and according to Jim Beglin, who did co-commentary on CBS Sport, the Kirkby academy graduate knows it.
Here’s what Beglin said: “He’s basically thrown his hands on to his face, basically saying ‘how have I not converted that?’ Can’t believe it. Henderson tee’d him up and the keeper has done well to actually get his leg down and catch some of the ball.”
When is the Champions League final?
Fortunately for Jones, nobody will remember that he should’ve added a fourth for Liverpool.
Not only because Klopp’s side wound up progressing, but because Diaz – tipped by Michael Owen to start the final – will be the only Reds player that people remember from this encounter, such was his spectacular cameo.
Klopp’s troops will either face Manchester City or Real Madrid in the Champions League final in Paris on May 28 now.
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