The prospects of Liverpool qualifying for next season's Champions League could hinge on the return of one player, according to Glen Johnson.
Jurgen Klopp's side have endured an underwhelming season so far that now sees the Reds eliminated from all cup competitions and currently languishing in sixth position in the Premier League table.
Hopes of finishing in the top four took a serious blow last week when the Reds followed up their stunning 7-0 home win against Manchester United with a sorry 1-0 defeat at relegation-threatened Bournemouth, as a team that almost won an unprecedented quadruple last season struggles to find any consistency this term.
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Matters have not been helped by an unlucky run of injuries throughout the campaign but the anticipated return of Luis Diaz could could be absolutely key during the Premier League run-in according to ex-Red Johnson.
Speaking to Midnite, Johnson said: "Luis Diaz is certainly missed at Liverpool at the moment. He hit the ground running and often produced for Liverpool when it looked like next to nothing was going to happen in certain games. They definitely miss him and any top team will miss one of their best players.
"It is a matter of if and when for Diaz as his return could determine Liverpool's top four place. When players are seeing another top player coming back into the fold - it does give them a boost, so I would say yes they are (missing him)."
Colombian Diaz has not kicked a ball for the Reds since the 3-2 defeat at Arsenal on October 9 last year, but he is now back in light training and is expected to return to the first team fold after the international break.
Liverpool will restart their Premier League campaign with three huge matches against Manchester City, Chelsea and Arsenal and Johnson, who played for the Reds from 2009-2015, thinks his former club will need to win at least two of those games if they want to keep their top four ambitions on course.
He said: "Liverpool have a tough April. Usually you will talk about these three games as title contenders - not really a top four race. If Liverpool want to get into the top four they will need to win at least two of those games.
"Liverpool are only six points away from the top four with around 10 games to go, so there are still a lot of points to get for them to do so. Chelsea, Liverpool and Tottenham have been unpredictable this season - even United at times. It is going to be a tough one as two of those teams are going to be left out.
"It's not that I'm confident that they will make it but as mentioned before, the three games at the beginning of April will send them on the right path or the wrong path. It will definitely affect their confidence, if they lose. Right now - everyone has a question mark."
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