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Liverpool Echo
Liverpool Echo
Sport
Hannah Pinnock

Porto manager Sergio Conceicao criticises decision to sell Luis Diaz to Liverpool

Porto manager Sergio Conceicao is unhappy with his club's decision to sell Luis Diaz to Liverpool in the January transfer window.

The Reds completed a deal for the winger that could rise to £49m on Sunday and he's set to join up with his new teammates later this week, following Colombia's World Cup qualifier against Argentina on Tuesday night.

Liverpool's ability to complete a deal was aided by Porto's financial struggles, despite the Dragons being desperate to keep their star player.

They're currently top of the Primeira Liga by nine points, but last season's Champions Sporting are closing in and have a game in hand.

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In the middle of a close title race, Conceicao expressed his displeasure at the decision to sell Diaz and admitted their goals for the season have become 'more difficult' to accomplish.

“In big companies and big clubs, planning is done according to the objectives," he told Sport TV [via SIC Notícias ] after their win over Maritimo at the weekend.

"When there is little or no planning, we have to review the goals and think about the near future. I am demanding and, at the moment, the truth is that it is more difficult, but it is part of my job to find solutions.

"It is looking to the future and realizing that our goals may become more difficult to achieve."

He addressed the mater further in his press conference, adding: "It's not worth repeating myself. I'm aware of the club I represent, the demand this club has for its professionals and the one I have.

"That identification and this way of being doesn't change, but obviously we are talking about four players, three of them.

"Corona two years ago was the best player in the league, Sergio [Oliveira] was last year, curiously, and this year it was Luis Diaz.

"It's part of my job to find solutions, in a situation very difficult where clearly the financial aspect was much stronger than the possible sporting success."

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