In Focus: Unburdened Diaz can make his mark against City

A dark cloud has lifted from above Luis Diaz.

It has been a turbulent period for Liverpool's Colombian star, after his father was kidnapped and held hostage by guerrilla rebels for 12 days.

Fortunately he has now been released — and an unburdened Diaz celebrated by netting a brace against Brazil while on international duty with La Tricolor.

As the 26-year-old prepares to face Manchester City on his return to domestic action, we assess the impact he can have for Jurgen Klopp's outfit.

Brazil brilliance

It was a case of agony to ecstasy for Diaz, as he put the previous month's challenges behind him to star for Colombia last week — with his father sitting in the stands.

The winger was in unstoppable form during their 2026 World Cup qualifying win over Brazil, with his 75th and 79th-minute double turning a 1-0 deficit into a famous 2-1 victory.

Speaking after the match, Diaz said: "You have to suffer if you want to win.

"We've lived through some difficult moments but life makes you stronger and brave.

"Not just in football but in life. I think we deserved this win. Not just me. All of us.

"I'm grateful to my team-mates and the coaching staff. They were there for me at all times. I want to dedicate this win to the people [of Colombia]."

Goalscoring impact

Remarkably, Diaz was still able to have an impact for Liverpool prior to his father's release — scoring in the Reds' 1-1 draw at Luton before the international break.

That was his third league goal of the campaign, though the former Porto man's modest tally is largely down to squad rotation.

Diaz has played 644 top-flight minutes and started eight games this term, which represents two-thirds of Liverpool's 12 fixtures.

He is averaging an impressive 0.42 goals per 90 minutes over those matches, which is exactly in line with his 0.42 expected goals (xG) per 90.

Adding assists

Diaz only needs one more goal to equal his best league total since arriving in England — but he has yet to contribute an assist in 2023-24.

Though the Reds' No7 is adept at beating his man, his end product has been somewhat lacking in a creative sense.

That is reflected in the numbers, with Diaz's 2.1 completed take-ons per 90 putting him inside the division's top 30 performers for that metric.

However, he has only created an average of 0.98 chances and 0.14 big chances per game.

Adding that string to his bow will go some way towards becoming one of the first names on the team sheet.

Praise from the boss

Liverpool manager Klopp has been effusive in his praise of Diaz.

Discussing the forward's return from a long-term knee injury back in May, he said: "He's a natural player. I love him, absolutely love him. It's unbelievable.

"He's so football smart, moving in the right areas, naturally defending from his position, goal threat, speed, cheeky. Very, very special player, I have to say."

It is therefore no surprise that the Reds boss often selects Diaz in the biggest fixtures, having already started him against Chelsea and Tottenham this season.

And matches do not come much bigger than this afternoon's clash with City, when Klopp will be hoping for another game-changing performance from the South American.