Liverpool’s new signing Luis Diaz has explained why he took the number 23 shirt after completing his move from Porto.
Diaz has joined Liverpool on a five-year contract worth £90,000 per week last week after they agreed to pay Porto £37.5million up front and £12.5m in potential add-ons
The 25-year-old winger will provide competition for places in Liverpool ’s forward positions, with Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah still away on international duty at the Africa Cup of Nations.
He is a hugely exciting addition for Liverpool, who beat Tottenham and Barcelona to the signing of the Colombia international.
There is a great deal of excitement about Diaz, who joins Jurgen Klopp’s side after picking up 16 goals and four assists in 26 appearances for Porto in 2021/22.
And he will be following in the footsteps of Xherdan Shaqiri, Emre Can, Jamie Carragher and Robbie Fowler by donning the no.23 for Liverpool.
“The main reason for choosing it is because I used to wear it before in the team where I started out my playing career at Junior Barranquilla,” Diaz told the club website .
“That’s where I took my first steps in the game, so I grew up wearing that number and things went well for me.
“That is what gave me the idea to choose it again and wear it here. Now, hearing about those big names you’ve mentioned who wore it in the past, it is down to me to wear it well and do my best to help the team and the coaching staff in everything they need from me, being ready to play whenever I’m asked.”
Diaz was only officially announced as a Liverpool player six days ago, but could make his debut on Sunday against Cardiff in the fourth round of the FA Cup.
The Colombian met Klopp and his team-mates at the club’s Kirkby training base this week and is raring to go.
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“I’m committed to being available from today, the very first day I’ve arrived,” he said.
“I’ve already trained a bit today, I was out on the pitch and then in the gymnasium.
“So yes, my mindset is that I’m ready to help out my team and do my bit and contribute, as you said.
“I’m available to the manager and his coaching staff for whatever they need me for, and I’ll be ready to go whenever.”
Diaz was forced to wait in Paris for his paper to be sorted, so has not had much time to settle at Liverpool, so Klopp will be careful with his workload.
“It’s not the best time of your life, it doesn’t help you with recovery from an intense period he had as well with two games for Colombia, massive travel, all these kind of things. So, let’s have a look,” he said.
“I wouldn’t say no [to playing vs Cardiff] because I would be excited as well. A few minutes in a sold-out Anfield is nice. But let’s see.”
