Despite new Liverpool players often needing time to adapt to their new surroundings at Anfield under Jurgen Klopp, the German’s most high-profile signings have tended to make an immediate impact.
The likes of Andy Robertson, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Fabinho and Kostas Tsimikas all had to be patient for their opportunities, with their manager repeatedly making a point of explaining why they should not be expected to hit the ground running.
Their absence from early starting XIs would cause concern amongst the fanbase, with supporters fearing the possibility of a transfer misfire, yet all eventually made Anfield at home.
There are exceptions however, with some players not needing a gradual bedding in phase.
Sadio Mane, Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk all marked their maiden Reds appearances with debut goals, wasting no time in establishing themselves as some of the first names on Klopp’s teamsheet.
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The German had warned his latest big-money signing, Luis Diaz, could not be expected to follow in such highly-esteemed footsteps. Joining mid-season from FC Porto, it was only right to expect a period of transition for the winger.
Yet the Colombian took just 10 minutes to make his presence felt on Merseyside.
There would be no debut goal for the £49m man after replacing Curtis Jones just short of the hour-mark. But that mattered not as he played a decisive role in booking Liverpool ’s place in the FA Cup fifth round.
Dispossessing Perry Ng on the sideline following high-pressing play that would bring a smile to Klopp’s face more than any goal, he squeezed a cutback across to Diogo Jota through the smallest of gaps from the acutest of angles.
Such play clearly caught the Portuguese by surprise, with the forward not expecting Diaz to both keep the ball in play and pick him out as it squirmed through his legs.
Yet Takumi Minamino was alert enough to arrive late on the scene and pounce, sidefooting home the Reds’ second of the afternoon.
The pedantic might award Jota the assist for the strike, with him getting the final touch before it fell to Minamino but make no mistake, the goal was all down to Diaz.
As Liverpool ran out 3-1 winners, there was time for the winger to give Klopp and supporters a scare following an accidental stamp on his knee which required treatment, while Cardiff made sure to quickly welcome him to the rough and tumble of the physical nature of English football.
Yet his first taste of Liverpool life was a promising one, operating on the left-hand side as Diaz showed the pacey, hard-working traits that should see him feel right at home in Klopp’s side.
Only bought in January after Tottenham’s efforts to sign the winger prompted the Reds to move for his signature six months early, the 25-year-old will still be given time to adapt to his new surroundings.
After all, with Mane and Jota around he isn’t needed to make an immediate impact on that left-hand side.
But it was a promising start as Liverpool fans were given a first glimpse of the £49m man and he provided an early taste of exactly why the Reds moved early and spent the money in the first place.
