Luis Diaz admits Liverpool were gutted when they discovered Sadio Mane was leaving the club earlier this year.
The Colombian joined the Reds in January of this year, meaning he only played half-a-season with Mane before he joined Bayern Munich in the summer window. Kop bosses had hoped to tie the 30-year-old to a new deal on Merseyside, but after it became clear he wanted a new challenge, they sanctioned his departure.
Diaz has helped fill the void left by Mane and has become an ever-present for Jurgen Klopp on the left-hand side his old team-mate would often find themselves. But despite his impressive performances, Liverpool have got off to a bumpy start, drawing four of their seven Premier League fixtures.
And Diaz has revealed the reaction of his Anfield colleagues, when it became clear Mane would be on the move. “The team was gutted," he told TNT Sports Brasil as quoted by the ECHO.
"Obviously he’s a player that will be missed in any club. He’s gone to a big club and is working to achieve his goals. And we’re conscious of the big group we have here, we’re working hard every day to improve. Everybody’s here to help and that shows in games.”
Speaking before his side’s 2-0 victory over Rangers, Klopp accepted his side were struggling for confidence and Diaz insists only one thing will change their mindset - winning games.
He added: “It’s simple. Win, win and win. I think winning gives you much more confidence, but not only that, to play well and leave the pitch with the impression you gave your all. For me that’s the most important thing.
"But when that doesn’t happen, we have to try and improve in training to try and rectify in the next game. We’ve very happy with the win tonight, now we’ll rest to prepare for what’s coming.”
As for Mane, his return to form continued on Tuesday night as he scored his second goal in as many games to help Bayern to a thumping 5-0 win over Viktoria Plzen. Prior to the international break, the German champions had gone four league games without a win and Mane has conceded those weeks were difficult.
“The team played a great game, we created a lot of chances.,” Mane said. “We deserved to win. The past few weeks were difficult. It was important to show a reaction. We reacted well after the international break. Hopefully we will continue like this until the end of the season.”
Despite his early struggles, his form throughout 2022 - which helped Senegal to their maiden African Cup of Nations - has him in the conversation for the Ballon d’Or. But while the ex-Liverpool star is happy with his year, he conceded that Karim Benzema should win the gong when it’s handed out later this year.
"Honestly, I think Karim deserves it this year," he added, during an interview with Canal+. "He had a great, great season with Real, with whom he won the Champions League... He totally deserves it, so I'm very happy for him.
"It was a great relief for me, but also for the whole country, I am very happy to have won my first African Cup of Nations with the country, but I think Karim deserves it, I sincerely think so."
