Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp is assessing his options and weighing up whether to dip into the transfer market for a Luis Diaz replacement after the Anfield star was forced to undergo knee surgery, according to journalist Dean Jones.
The Reds will be presented with an opportunity to freshen up their squad when the winter window opens for business at the turn of the year.
Liverpool injury news – Luis Diaz
According to The Athletic, Diaz is set to be out of action for three months after undergoing surgery on his lateral collateral ligament.
The report suggests the 25-year-old winger, who made the move to Merseyside in a deal worth up to £49million in January, had to fly back from Liverpool’s training camp in Dubai at the end of last week after complaining of discomfort.
Diaz had only recently returned to training after being kept on the sidelines since October with a knee problem suffered during a defeat to Arsenal.
Klopp has revealed the Colombia international’s latest setback, which means he is unlikely to be in contention to feature until March, has come as ‘a proper smash in the face’.
It comes after injury expert Ben Dinnery told GIVEMESPORT that Diaz was initially ‘bang on schedule’ and in line to return to the fray when the Premier League season resumes.
What has Dean Jones said about Diaz?
Jones understands that Klopp is assessing his options and mulling over whether to seek a replacement for Diaz during the fast-approaching January window.
The transfer insider believes the Liverpool chief will also decide whether Darwin Nunez, Fabio Carvalho and Harvey Elliott are able to fill the void left by the South American.
Jones told GIVEMESPORT: “Liverpool are trying to decide what to do about the Diaz situation and there is still a chance they will look to sign someone
Ideally, they would rather not go into the market unplanned. They have options in Nunez, Carvalho and even Elliott to weigh up first over whether they can get through this.”
Who have Liverpool been linked with?
According to Argentinian media outlet La Capital, Liverpool have reached an agreement in principle to sign Enzo Fernandez from Benfica.
The report suggests the Reds have beaten Manchester United and Manchester City to the attack-minded midfielder, but he will not head to Merseyside until the end of the season, so Klopp will still have to identify other targets if he wants to fill the gap left by Diaz.
Meanwhile, Spanish sources have revealed that Liverpool are battling it out with Tottenham Hotspur and Atletico Madrid to acquire Fiorentina forward Randal Kolo Muani.
