It goes without saying that Liverpool’s 6-1 triumph over Leeds United was a significant affair. Considering that they won and that six goals are a significant number, Liverpool will likely need to win every league game from this point forward to maintain even the slimmest of top-four hopes.
It was also significant because Luiz Diaz, a Colombian who has been sidelined since before the World Cup due to a knee injury and a second knee injury sustained after returning to training in December, made his long-awaited comeback. Diaz entered the game in the 82nd minute of the second half and finished the game.
Following the event, Diaz expressed his joy on social media, writing that he is “so happy to be back.” The fact that his return came as the Reds were comfortably up and in the middle of one of their few truly standout performances of the year undoubtedly doesn’t hurt those positive feelings either.
So happy to be back Amazing 3 points🙌🏻❤️⚽️ pic.twitter.com/FIRegLTtj1
— Luis Fernando Díaz (@LuisFDiaz19) April 18, 2023
For many, it will be especially noteworthy as Diaz played on the right in place of Mohamed Salah, allowing Darwin Nuez to go to the left and Roberto Firmino to play false nine. It was an intriguing move that might have implications for Jürgen Klopp’s future plans because the Reds appeared to have more depth on the left than the right.