Liverpool striker Luis Diaz was injured in the Reds’ game at Arsenal at the weekend. The Colombian attempted to continue playing, but withdrew from contention before halftime.
After the match, Díaz left the stadium on crutches. Also, he had a brace around his knee. Luis Diaz’s injury is likely to have occurred during a tackle by Arsenal’s Thomas Partey. The Ghanaian and Colombian fell to the ground at the same time, with the 6’1 midfielder landing on Diaz’s left knee. There was no foul on the play, just a tangle of bodies.
Luis Díaz’s injury was not the only one that Liverpool suffered this weekend. Defender Trent Alexander-Arnold left the game at halftime with what coach Jürgen Klopp called a sprained ankle. The German coach commented on his winger’s injuries after the match. He said both injuries appear to be serious. Had the players been able to continue, they probably would have stayed, despite the halftime deficit.
Liverpool have a long list of games before the prolonged ‘break’ for the World Cup. Scheduled matches in the Premier League, Champions League and EFL Cup make injuries the worst case scenario for the Anfield team. In fact, Liverpool have 10 more games left in the five weeks remaining before the World Cup.
Luis Díaz’s injury runs through the World Cup
Colombia failed to qualify for the World Cup. So perhaps it’s a silver lining that Diaz doesn’t miss out on the opportunity to represent Colombia on the biggest stage. In addition, he will have the chance to stay in Liverpool to recover, rather than rush back from injury.
Still, the injury comes at an inopportune time for Liverpool. The run of 10 games leading up to the World Cup features some key draws for Liverpool’s season.
Not only are there three Champions League games, including away days for both Rangers and Ajax, but there are also key Premier League games.
Luis Díaz’s injury prevents him from being available for next weekend’s game against Manchester City. The Colombian also misses another trip to North London to face Tottenham Hotspur.
PHOTO: IMAGO/PA Images
