Luis Diaz injury: Progress & potential return date for Liverpool star

The signing of Porto winger Luis Diaz proved to be the spark Liverpool needed to compete on multiple fronts during the second half of last season.

The Reds swooped from under Tottenham's nose to secure the services of the spritely Colombian, whose impact was immediate at Anfield. Diaz, who operated in harmony with Liverpool's stellar front three, played a key role as Jurgen Klopp's side lifted two domestic cups, pushed Manchester City all the way in the Premier League and reached the Champions League final.

Diaz started the showpiece in Paris, highlighting just how important he'd rapidly become to Klopp's side.

In stark contrast, 2022/23 has been nothing short of disastrous for the Merseyside outfit. Multiple factors have contributed to Liverpool's mediocrity, and Diaz's lengthy absence certainly hasn't helped. Supporters want him back on the field as soon as possible.

When did Luis Diaz pick up his injury?

Diaz has had the misfortune of picking up two major knee injuries this season. The first was sustained back in October when Liverpool fell to a 3-2 defeat at Arsenal. No specifics were ever revealed by Liverpool, but there were reports Diaz had damaged the lateral collateral ligament in his left knee.

He was subsequently ruled out until after the World Cup.

The Colombian returned to full training during the club's warm-weather training camp in Dubai, but Klopp revealed the winger "felt something" in the same knee. It was a recurrence of the same injury and he underwent surgery to resolve the issue.

Has Luis Diaz said when he might return?

Social media activity was relatively quiet in the early months of Diaz's recovery, but an Instagram post in mid-January suggested things were progressing.

The 26-year-old subsequently said in February: "I hope to be back soon.

"Let's wait to see when I can come back to the pitch. If it's the Bernabeu, it'll be no worries." he added when asked if playing against Real Madrid was a realistic target.

"The idea is to get back and help the team with all my teammates. I want to be back and have a good second half of the season."

What has Jurgen Klopp said about Luis Diaz's injury?

Speaking ahead of Liverpool's visit to Molineux in February, Klopp revealed Diaz is back running but his return is still a few weeks away yet.

Luis Diaz's potential return date

The trip to Real Madrid on March 15 is now looking like a potential return date for Diaz, but that timeline is dependant on no further setbacks.

Should that come to fruition, Diaz will then have a good two-and-a-half months to influence proceedings for Liverpool as they bid to get their troubled season back on track.

FPL alternatives

FPL managers have had to sound out Diaz alternatives for an age, and here are a few to consider with the Colombian still a few weeks away from making his return.

Diaz's lengthy absence has seen his price take a hit. He's currently £7.8m. Nevertheless, the now fully fit Dejan Kulusevski (£7.9m) will undoubtedly entice a few, as will James Maddison (£8.0m) who's also just returned from injury.

Riyad Mahrez has been in impresssive form since the World Cup and he's available for £7.7m, while Marcus Rashford (£7.2m) has emerged as an incredibly popular option. Get him in if you haven't already!

£7.0m man Martin Odegaard has enjoyed a productive campaign and will play a key role for Arsenal down the stretch, so he's another talent to consider. In terms of wildcard options, Leicester new boy Tete could prove to be a bargain at £5.5m.