Roy Keane has warned Liverpool duo, Takumi Minamino and Harvey Elliott, that they are now going to be put ‘under pressure’ following the arrival of Luis Diaz, as he told ITV Sport.
The former midfielder stated that this is an ‘ideal situation’ for Jurgen Klopp because he needs ‘challenges from within’ at Liverpool.
During the January transfer window, the Reds didn’t waste any time in snapping up Diaz’s talents from Porto after rumoured interest from Tottenham, as reported by Sky Sports.
Whilst Harvey Elliott stole the headlines on Sunday by scoring on his return from injury as the Reds eased past Cardiff City in the FA Cup.
It was also an impressive start from Liverpool’s new winger, who tip-toed with both speed and elegance past Cardiff players to set up Minamino to score.
Nonetheless, Keane was asked about the ‘pressure’ the likes of Minamino and Elliott are now going to be under with Luis’s arrival, even as squad players, as he issued this response.
“That’s what you want,” said Keane. “It’s Jurgen Klopp’s ideal situation. You are constantly putting them under pressure.
“When you play for a big club, there will be lads coming in who want to challenge for your position at the club.
“That’s the name of the game. Challenges from within.”
A lot of people wondered how Liverpool were going to perform without their star duo – Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah – whilst they were away on Africa Cup of Nations duty.
Well, during that period, it could be argued that the Reds have become stronger and Klopp now has some serious depth in the attacking third.
Players like Minamino have impressed during their extra time on the field, whilst Diaz marked his debut with an assist and Elliott his return with a goal.
Diogo Jota still can’t stop scoring and now a fired-up Salah, who lost the AFCON final, has already returned, with the rejuvenated and now confident, Player of the Tournament, Sadio Mane, also heading back to Merseyside pumped up.
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