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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Sport
Samuel Meade

Liverpool to remove three players from Premier League squad following Luis Diaz transfer

Liverpool will be removing three players from their Premier League squad following the arrival of Luis Diaz.

The Colombian signed from Porto at the end of the January transfer window for a fee that could rise to £50million. The Reds were able to beat off competition from Tottenham, who were also in for the winger.

Diaz will push for a starting role despite Sadio Mane and Mo Salah commanding the wide roles for years at Anfield.

The new arrival does count as an overseas player meaning Jurgen Klopp, who is already using his full compliment of 17, will have to axe one individual.

That man is set to be Loris Karius, with the German poised to leave Liverpool in the summer having not played since the 2018 Champions League final. He is fourth choice at Anfield, behind Alisson, Caoimhin Kelleher and Adrian.

Have Your Say! Will Luis Diaz go into the Liverpool starting XI? Tell us here.

Luis Diaz will be added to Liverpool's Premier League squad (Diogo Cardoso/Getty Images)

It means Diaz will be able to assist with his new side's title charge in the second-half of the season.

Klopp said following the signing: “I could not be happier that we’ve been able to get this deal done and bring Luis to Liverpool.

“I have always been a believer in only signing players in January if you would want to sign them in the summer, and that’s very much the case with Luis.

“He is an outstanding player and someone we’ve been tracking for a very long time.

“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."

Whilst Diaz came in both Neco Williams and Nat Phillips left Anfield on loan. Both men dropped down to the Championship, joining Fulham and Bournemouth respectively.

Premier League sides can name no more than 17 overseas players in their 25-man squads, with the eight remaining places available to homegrown players.

Klopp only named a named a 24-man squad in the summer, using his full allocation of 17 overseas players, but the loan exits of Sheyi Ojo, Ben Davies and Ben Woodburn leaving him unable to name eight homegrown players over the age of 21.

Phillips was one of his seven homegrown players and his exit means the Reds will have a 23-man squad going forward.

However, Klopp will not be struggling for players going forward, with U21 players not needing to be registered.

The likes of Curtis Jones, Harvey Elliott, Kaide Gordon and Tyler Morton all fall into that category and all have featured at point this season.

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