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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Sport
Josh O'Brien

Roberto Firmino reveals what Liverpool squad's "expectations" of Luis Diaz are

Roberto Firmino has admitted the rest of the Liverpool first-team have high expectations when it comes to new teammate Luis Diaz.

The former FC Porto winger joined the club towards the tail-end of the January transfer window and has already endeared himself to the Anfield faithful with the few games he has played.

Diaz bagged his first Premier League goal last weekend when the Reds ran out 3-1 winners over Norwich at home but has impressed with every appearance so far.

He has started the last two league games which has seen an attacking return of nine goals following Wednesday night's 6-0 demolition of Leeds.

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Roberto Firmino has spoken highly of new signing Luis Diaz ((Photo by Giuseppe Maffia/NurPhoto via Getty Images))

As a result, the rest of the Liverpool squad have been pleased with his impact and expect him to go on to achieve big things in the famous red shirt.

Firmino has discussed Diaz start positively, despite the fact the Brazilian has seen his own game-time limited this season through a mix of injury and Diogo Jota occasionally being favoured.

He recently addressed this and claimed he is not worried, insisting: "It's healthy competition and the manager decides on the starting 11.

"I respect his decision. The group comes first."

Turning his attention to Diaz's ability, Firmino revealed he is excited to see what the 25-year-old can produce.

"We knew of [Diaz's] quality and what a great person he is," he explained.

"He is a really nice guy and he'll definitely help in a lot of games this season.

"He showed in the first game with his assist (against Cardiff in the FA Cup ) and getting in the box effectively - and we won the match.

"We've got great expectations that he will really help the team and it's up to us to help him adapt to the team."

Luis Diaz has impressed his Liverpool teammates since he arrived in late January ((Photo by Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images))

Diaz's arrival may have made Firmino's job of regaining his first-team place on a permanent basis even more difficult, but that has not stopped him helping the Colombian get to grips with the new setting.

"We speak 'Portunhol'," Firmino explained. "I speak a bit of Spanish, it's not perfect, he speaks a bit of Portuguese so we get by.

"He's made a really good first impression."

Firmino has been forced to sit out the last two league games with injury while Diaz has been of Liverpool's most promising performers in both.

As a result, there is every chance Diaz starts his first major final for Liverpool one month into his stay when the Reds take on Chelsea at Wembley for the finale of the Carabao Cup.

Jurgen Klopp's men are still on for what would be a historic quadruple and know the first hurdle presents itself in the form of the Blues on Sunday.

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