Jurgen Klopp has outlined the four traits of Luis Diaz that convinced Liverpool to sign the Colombian international from Porto.
The Reds completed the signing of Diaz on Sunday to give a major boost to their squad ahead of the final closing months of the season.
Representatives from the Reds flew out to South America to complete the deal with a deal struck for £37.5million up front and have also agreed on a package of add-ons worth a potential £12.5m.
The 25-year-old has penned a long-term contract at Anfield and will arrive in Liverpool after Colombia’s clash against Argentina in World Cup qualifying on Tuesday evening.
Klopp immediately lauded the signing and highlighted how it stuck to Liverpool’s transfer rules for adding to their squad in the January transfer window.
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The signing of Diaz is one of the most notable in the January transfer window after the forward initially appeared destined for a move to Tottenham.
Liverpool and Klopp were already strongly familiar with the player, who featured twice against them for the Portuguese club in this season’s Champions League group stage.
Klopp has now identified four aspects of the player that made him stand out on the Reds' transfer shortlist and encouraged them to complete a deal for the player this month.
Along with the player’s natural skillset and physical attributes, it was identified how he was hungry for success and possessed a strong team mentality.
Klopp told the club’s website : “We believe he has everything needed to fit into our way and adapt to the Premier League, both physically and mentally.
“He is a player who is hungry for success and knows you have to fight to get what you want. He is a fighter, no doubt.
“He’s a skilful team player who has always the goal in mind.
“This team deserved to add quality and when we played against Luis earlier this season, we saw what a danger he is, how fast he is and how his mentality was to help his team.”
Diaz will now compete for a starting spot alongside Sadio Mane, Roberto Firmino, Mohamed Salah and Diogo Jota – with the futures of Divock Origi and Takumi Minamino uncertain.
Diaz will wear the No. 23 shirt at Liverpool and leaves Porto after netting 41 goals in 125 first-team appearances for the club, while he has seven goals in 31 international caps for Colombia.
He had previously represented Barranquilla FC and Junior FC in his homeland before making the switch to Europe in 2019.
