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Liverpool Echo
Liverpool Echo
Sport
Paul Gorst

EXCLUSIVE: Andy Robertson reveals Liverpool response after injury to 'devastated' Luis Diaz

Andy Robertson says the Liverpool squad will do all they can to help 'devastated' Luis Diaz in his recovery from knee surgery.

Diaz had initially hoped to use the Reds' mid-season training camp in Dubai as a springboard towards his comeback after suffering a knee problem in the 3-2 defeat to Arsenal in early October.

The Colombia international was set to return in Sunday's 3-1 defeat to Lyon before a setback in training on Friday left him in need of surgery. Diaz was dispatched back to England where he went under the knife on Monday to correct an issue with his lateral collateral ligament.

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The former Porto winger is expected to be absent until March with Jurgen Klopp describing the injury as a "proper smash in the face" after the loss to Lyon at the Al Maktoum Stadium.

In an exclusive chat with the ECHO in Dubai, Robertson said he and his team-mates will do all they can to help their stricken colleague back to action as quickly as possible as Diaz comes to terms with his latest lay-off.

"He went from one extreme to the next," Robertson said. "First it was the excitement of having him back in training and having him back probably ahead of schedule and things like that.

"And Luis is such a happy person around the place and such a great character, so for him to get this kind of knock in training and then to find out how long it's likely to be for is devastating for him.

"We'll all be there for him, we'll all help him get through it and he's obviously got a couple of months ahead of him to try and recover. All we can do is [be there for him]. The injury has happened, now it's about him getting his rehab right and to make sure he is ready for the last part of the season."

Diaz had been one of the Reds' brighter performers in the early part of the season before he was forced off after a collision with Thomas Partey at the Etihad on October 9.

The wideman is now facing up to the prospect of a five-month absence from the team at a time when Diogo Jota has also been on the shelf since mid-October after suffering a serious calf issue in the closing stages of the 1-0 win over Manchester City.

Robertson added: "The injury for Luis is a big blow for us but all we can do is try and help him, try and be there for him and help him in any way possible because I can imagine he is feeling a bit down about it just now, so it's important that we try and lift him and give him the support that he needs, which we will do.

"Obviously we're with the fans as well, so the quicker we see him back on the pitch the better because he is a joy to watch. And hopefully he is running down that wing soon enough again and we can see him doing what he does best in a Liverpool shirt."

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