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Liverpool Echo
Liverpool Echo
Sport
Ian Doyle

Luis Diaz transfer hands Liverpool a tricky Champions League squad decision

Luis Diaz is free to play a full part in the remainder of Liverpool's season now that his transfer from Porto has been confirmed.

But it may mean one other Reds player is forced out of the Champions League squad for the knockout stages.

Liverpool made an offer of almost £50million for the Porto winger, who they were originally contemplating moving for in the summer only to accelerate their interest after Tottenham Hotspur made a bid for the player.

This afternoon it was confirmed the 25-year-old is a Red, after a club delegation flew out to Argentina this weekend to conduct his medical.

And Diaz is available to feature in every game this season - despite having faced Liverpool twice in the Champions League earlier in the campaign.

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UEFA changed the rules of the competition in 2018 meaning players who had appeared in the group stage for one club would be eligible for a different club in the knockout stages.

Clubs are allowed to register a maximum of three new eligible players during the winter transfer window, with the deadline on February 2.

Liverpool, though, would have to omit an overseas player from their Champions League squad to register Diaz as things stand.

Rules state clubs have to include at least eight homegrown players in their 25-man squad, of which a maximum of four can have been brought through at other clubs.

The rule meant Liverpool could name only 24 players in their senior squad for the group stage, with Harvey Elliott not counted as a homegrown player as he has not yet spent two years uninterrupted at an English club from the age of 16.

There will be less of an issue with introducing Diaz into the Premier League squad.

Clubs are only allowed 17 overseas players in a squad of 25, and one of the places is currently taken up by Loris Karius.

And inclusion in the Premier League squad means Diaz will be able to feature in both the FA Cup and Carabao Cup.

It remains to be seen whether any overseas stars currently in Liverpool's Champions League squad leave the club before Monday's transfer deadline.

*A version of this article was originally published ahead of Luis Diaz being confirmed.

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