New signing Luis Diaz can help shoulder the burden of keeping Liverpool in the title hunt with Manchester City.
That's the view of former Anfield star Jason McAteer as Jurgen Klopp looks to tweak his squad options before the January transfer window draws to a close.
The services of Diaz were secured from Porto over the weekend, in a deal potentially worth £49million, providing competition for places with Sadio Mane, Mo Salah, Diogo Jota and Roberto Firmino, although when the Portuguese side played Liverpool earlier in the season he didn't leave too much of an impression on McAteer.
Speaking about the acquisition to the ECHO today on behalf of LV BET, he said: “Obviously we came across him this season in the two games that we played (in the Champions League), where I’ve got to be honest, he didn’t stick out.
“I think in one of the games Neco Williams must have done a job on him. He didn’t stick out but I know that he has been on Liverpool’s radar for a while.
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“As far as FSG and Jurgen (Klopp) go - their criteria - he certainly fits into the bracket. Age-wise, the manner in which he plays, and obviously he’s in a purple patch at the moment isn’t he? I think it’s 14 goals in 18 appearances.
“The last two seasons he certainly wasn’t as prolific as this season, but maybe that’s coming with age and experience and just feeling comfortable because he’s playing week in week out and turning in these performances.
“I think what it will do for Liverpool is certainly ease the workload on the front four. We’ve relied on Mo and Mane and again this season the numbers the two of them have churned out is remarkable. And Jota’s starting to come into his own as well.
"He’ll certainly ease the workload on them and give Jurgen more options in that area.”
McAteer admits that he was surprised to see Diaz move to Merseyside this month and doesn't anticipate much more happening in terms of incomings, such is the approach often taken by Klopp mid-season.
But the popular former midfielder, who arrived at Anfield from Bolton Wanderers in 1995, is confident that there is already strength in depth across all areas.
He said: "Actually I’m surprised that he’s (Klopp) gone for anyone in the winter window. It’s not a window that he predominantly likes is it? But obviously with the interest of Tottenham - and I think Man United were having a good look at him as well - it’s forced Liverpool’s hand to do it now.
“But from the areas that were a problem last season - centre half - he seems to have an abundance there, although Nat Phillips looks like he might be going out.
“He’s certainly got cover. Konate’s getting plenty of game time and is coming up to speed, Joel Matip is having the season of his life, and Virgil seems to be coming through every test that’s thrown at him.
“Joe (Gomez) is back as well, with Connor Bradley coming through on the right hand side as cover for Trent, if Neco (Williams) goes.
“Tsimikas is up to speed on the left. I think it's that midfield area, which has probably been a bit of an area of concern this season, with Thiago not being able to stay fit. But it seems that we have strength in all areas.
“I just think that the Diaz signing will certainly help up top. And with his age (25) he’s going to be around for a while.
“He’s got all the attributes that Jurgen wants, a hard-working winger, and he’s that sort of right-footer playing on the left, which is very fashionable on the wings at the moment.
“It all looks good. The keeper, Caoimhin, just every area you look on the pitch at the minute has got decent cover."
Liverpool got back to winning ways in the Premier League with victories against Crystal Palace and Brentford after only taking one point from six in the previous two matches.
And despite title favourites Manchester City taking advantage of the situation to stretch their lead at the summit, McAteer believes The Reds' chances of claiming a 20th league title in May are far from over.
He said: "Absolutely not. I think when we looked at the league table the other day and City had gone to 12 points (clear), everyone was like “oh that’s it it’s over, Liverpool drawing another game”.
“That’s probably been Liverpool’s sort of black spot on the season, too many draws. The fact that they’ve been in winning positions - I think five of the six draws we’ve been in a winning position - is disappointing and very uncharacteristic from Jurgen’s team, to squander leads and lose points from that kind of scenario.
“But you look at the table, I think the game in hand is very winnable and it goes to six points. We’ve got to play them (City) at their place. The Champions League starts, there’s lots of football to be played.
“You’ve seen them slip up against Southampton in the last couple of weeks. There will be more slip-ups by City, they won’t go the season unbeaten.
“So for me it’s very much still on. I think it’s a two-horse race. I think Chelsea are out of it. I don’t think United have got enough and Arsenal won’t catch them.
“But this is two teams that know how to get it over the line and push each other to heights we have never seen before in the Premier League.
“Liverpool will fight for everything.”
