New Liverpool signing Luis Diaz, the 25-year-old Colombian dribbler, is hoping to become a Premier League star.
Recruited by residents of Anfield during the winter transfer window for the tidy sum of 45 million euros (plus €15 million in bonuses), the man nicknamed "El Fideo" (the Noodle) because of his weakling, is starving to death.
It must be said that the first Colombian in history to wear the jersey of the Reds learned only belatedly to eat properly.
Six years earlier, the player with a bony physique played in the Colombian second division in the club of Barranquilla FC, club of the 7th most populated city of the region of Guajira, Barrancas.
During his childhood, Luis Diaz suffered for a long time from malnutrition due to the food crisis.
Indeed, La Guajira is located in the north of Colombia, on the border with Venezuela.
It is a territory of the Wayuu community, but also and above all one of the regions most affected by famine and malnutrition.
The infant mortality rate is very high there.
But the twirling winger has strengthened under the colors of Porto for two and a half seasons and now intends to furnish his trophy cabinet under the emblem of the “Liver Bird”.
The Condor has filled in with the Dragons
Before becoming the player that Europe discovers in broad daylight, the number 14 of the Colombian selection had a difficult start.
When he signs at Barranquilla FC, two categories of young people can welcome him: the U17s and the U20s.
But the young Luis still lacks maturity and his physique, he who is skin and bones, prevents him from having a significant playing time with the U20s.
Then aged 18, the young man decided to join the indigenous selection of Colombia.
This selection brings together all the indigenous communities of the country and selects the best young people from each region.
At the time, the youngster was retained by the coach, who was none other than Carlos Valderrama (111 selections), a true legend in Colombia and a star player in the indigenous selection in the 90s. de Valderrama and having taken the Colombian selection to the final of the indigenous Copa America in 2015, the young Luis Diaz, who was finally able to have access to real meals, returns to Barranquilla.
After a few appearances with the first team, the Atlético Junior, club of first division, comes to seek it.
In two seasons, the Colombian winger scored 20 goals and delivered 7 assists.
Fond of South American nuggets, FC Porto signed Luis Diaz in 2019. Under the blue and white tunic of the Dragaos (“Dragons”), the right-hander won in the left lane and became a strong man, winners of the 2004 edition of the Champions League.
Hard-hitting, the Colombian winger destabilizes opposing defenses and turns almost to a goal every three games during his three seasons in Liga NOS.
In Portugal, Luis Diaz made a name for himself and scored 47 goals in 149 games played, to which were added 15 assists.
Under the orders of Sergio Conceiçao, the Colombian international (37 selections) discovers the Champions League during the 2019-2020 season.
In total, the number 7 of FC Porto will score 6 goals in the Big Ears Cup.
At the end of the Copa America 2021, during which the infernal Colombian will guide his team to the semi-finals, the big European teams begin to track him ardently.
It must be said that Luis Diaz will end the competition by appearing in the team of the tournament alongside internationally renowned players, such as Marquinhos, Casemiro and other Messi and Neymar... Finally the Colombian striker will stay in Porto for a few months only.
Announced on the side of Tottenham, Luis Diaz joined England well during the last winter transfer window, but finally decided to wear the red tunic of the legendary Liverpool FC.
An express adaptation on the banks of the Mersey
Asked following the formalization of this transfer, Jürgen Klopp did not hide his joy to see the Cafetero fill the ranks of his workforce.
“I couldn't be happier.
He is an exceptional player and someone we have followed for a very long time.
We think he has what it takes to fit into our game and adapt to the Premier League, both physically and mentally.
He is a player who is thirsty for success and who knows that you have to fight to get what you want”.
Arriving in the northwest of England on the final day of the winter transfer window, Luis Diaz joined the ranks of the Reds as his new teammates Sadio Mané and Mohamed Salah were preparing to face each other in the CAN 2022 final. The Colombian international has already played 9 games in his new colors, including 4 as a starter, taking advantage of the late return of Mané, his main competitor winner of the CAN, and the presence of Diego Jota and Roberto Firmino At the infirmary.
But number 23 of the vice-champions of England only needed two matches to open his counter.
Scorer against Norwich on February 19, Luis Diaz showed his advantage and wasted no time in announcing himself to some 50,000 performers of "You'll never walk alone".
Already against Cardiff in the FA Cup for his first match, the former FC Porto player had made a strong impression by making differences on his left wing and being at the origin, after a small number along the line of 6 meters from Liverpool's second goal scored by Minamino.
At the end of the meeting, Jürgen Klopp was full of praise, declaring: “
He already plays like at home?
That's exactly the impression he gave us in training, so we decided to give him a first start.
When we followed him in Porto, we already knew what we could expect from him.
Moreover, Luis looks like a very smart player and has watched several Liverpool games.
(…) In general, we avoid overloading our recruits with information on how to play at the start, but Luis already looks like a Liverpool player”.
The German coach has also upset his principles.
He who has a habit of integrating players late into the workforce and then into the eleven holders, we think in particular of Fabinho, had to change his tune in front of the very convincing performances of Luis Diaz.
Launched in pursuit of Manchester City, in the fight for the title in the Premier League, Luis Diaz will be one more offensive weapon for the partners of Mohamed Salah.
Mainly in competition with Mané, the right-handed winger, prefers to evolve on the left and brings speed and an ability to eliminate in one-on-one, thanks to his dribbling, superior to the Senegalese, who brings him more in the construction of the game. Barely arrived, Luis Diaz has already won his first FA Cup against Chelsea on February 27.
With a promising start, El Fideo was encouraged by former Reds glory Graeme Souness
“He's the type of player who, when you're a supporter, makes you vibrate in your seat.
He plays direct, he is fast, he is aggressive.
If he remains a substitute for the moment behind the untenable trio formed by Mané, Jota and Salah, the Cafetero could have his say over the next few weeks and why not this evening in the round of 16 second leg of the League of Champions against Inter Milan.
