Jurgen Klopp concedes it would be “extraordinary” if Luis Diaz was able to show his best form for Liverpool immediately but is “really happy and excited” about what he can bring to the Reds.
The Colombia winger joined Porto after signing a long-term contract at Anfield in a deal reported to be worth an initial £37.5million with a further £12.5m in add-ons.
Diaz was a man in demand, with Liverpool reportedly beating off competition from Premier League rivals Tottenham.
At Liverpool, Diaz joins an already stacked attacking line-up that includes Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane, Roberto Firmino and Diogo Jota.
Klopp accepts there is likely to be a bedding-in period for his new signing.
But he has no doubt he can make an enormous contribution to the club.
Klopp said ahead of Liverpool’s FA Cup fourth-round tie with Cardiff City.
“Luis, let me say it like this if he now came and stepped on the pitch and was immediately at his best and playing better than everyone else, it would be extraordinary.
“He needs time to adapt, but that doesn’t mean I speak about four or five months, I haven’t even seen him yet in training, so maybe we should wait a little bit.
“But I’m delighted and excited about the signing. It’s a good sign that we work on all fronts to improve this team. That’s how it always is in football.
“How it works is we have to be successful now and in the future. So Diaz can help with both that’s an excellent thing.
“We signed him because we like pretty much everything about him. I followed him now for a while since we played them twice in the Champions League.
“He has the speed, skillset, and character to have an outstanding career. We want him to have that career with us.
“I’m pleased we could get him in now. He can help us, and we can help him. His story so far is a special one. Now he’s one of us, and we can’t wait to welcome him here.”
Klopp’s options are boosted this weekend, with Naby Keita back from Africa Cup of Nations duty.
Thiago Alcantara has also been back in training, absent since December due to a thigh issue.
Still, a chest infection may curtail his chances of a return, while Divock Origi could be in contention after a knee injury.
And in further good news, talented midfielder Harvey Elliott is set to play against Cardiff this weekend after five months out due to a horrific fracture-dislocation of his ankle sustained against Leeds United.
Klopp added:
“Very impressed with his rehabilitation. Harvey was the perfect client, and he did pretty much everything we told him.
“He is in a good place, we have to see if it’s right for him to start or come on, but he’ll be in the squad for the Cardiff game.
“He has now step-by-step to get back to his best, but he’s close, very close.”
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