Jurgen Klopp has sung the praises of new January signing Luis Diaz ahead of Liverpool’s FA Cup encounter at home to Cardiff City on Sunday.
Diaz joined Liverpool late in the January transfer window for a fee of around £37.5m which could rise to £50m with bonuses.
The decision to spend big in January was to improve squad depth and provide Sadio Mane with greater competition.
Speaking about his new player for the first time, Klopp spoke glowingly about his new signing.
He said: “We like pretty much everything about him. I’ve followed him for a while- exceptional skillset and character.
“[I’m] really happy we could get him in now. His story so far is a special one. I like that. Now he’s one of us. We can’t wait to welcome him here.”
However, Klopp admitted Diaz hasn’t been in training yet and is a doubt for Sunday’s FA Cup tie against Championship Cardiff.
He said: “I’ve not even seen him yet! He hasn’t been to the training ground yet.
“Just a really good sign that we on all fronts to try to improve this team. We have to be successful now and in the future.”
Liverpool were in the market to make a second signing on deadline day as they attempted to bring in highly-rated 19-year-old Fabio Carvalho but the deal fell through at the last minute.
Liverpool were going to loan him back to Fulham until the end of the season and Klopp appeared confident Liverpool would sign him in the summer anyway.
He said: “Of course we are still interested. It would be crazy if we were not. We will see what happens.”
Klopp also confirmed that Harvey Elliot will be back in the squad and could be involved against Cardiff on Sunday for the first time since his serious dislocated ankle injury in September.
He said: “Harvey did everything we told him without question, he’s in a good place.
“We will see what’s right for him but he will be in the squad for the Cardiff game.”
Although, Klopp gave a less positive update on Thiago, saying: “Thiago has trained with us but then got a chest infection so had to step aside.
“He should be team training today so we’ll see how we can use him for Sunday.”
With Senegal facing Egypt in the Afcon final on Sunday, Liverpool’s star players Mane and Mo Salah will go head to head for their respective nations.
Klopp said he was impressed with Mane and Salah’s achievements as well as the positive tournament Naby Keita had for Guinea before their Round of 16 exit.
He said: “We’ve followed it pretty closely, {it’s a] great achievement.
“Naby played an exceptional tournament as well. It will be exciting on Sunday.
“One will be really happy after, the other much less so. They both have the chance to achieve something big.”
When asked about the importance of the FA Cup ahead of Sunday’s tie, Klopp said: “It’s massive.
“We are not the most successful FA Cup team since I have been here! We are ambitious.”
In a season that Liverpool remain in four competitions, the addition of Diaz as well as the return of the exciting Elliot, Klopp may finally have a squad ready to compete on all fronts.
