(Photo by Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
Liverpool forward Luis Diaz has revealed that he has ambitions of playing in Spain at a future stage of his professional career.
Diaz arrived at Anfield last January from Porto for an initial fee of £37m, for what has proven to be something of a bargain (Sky Sports).
The 25-year-old has scored ten goals and provided eight assists in 38 appearances in all competitons for the Merseysiders (transfermarkt), who have been without his services since he limped off with a knee problem in Liverpool’s 3-2 defeat by Arsenal last month.
Diaz has been back in his homeland as part of his recovery and has been speaking to publication SoHo.
The Colombian has admitted that he tries to shy away from media duties with the Reds and instead prefers to focus on his on-field activities.
He said: “I usually say no to the Liverpool press team, that I prefer not to give interviews, but they take me to one, or two, and that’s it, I’ll get out of that quickly.
“I know there are other players who are dying to be in the media. I am the other extreme, the less I get out, the better.”
Diaz highlighted his disdain for the media following a recent video which circulated showing him at a nightclub in Colombia.: “It is that they [journalists] are difficult, and in soccer, more. I was here in Barranquilla, recovering from my injury –the one I suffered on October 9 playing against Arsenal, and I went to a nightclub with my sister and my family. I knew that they were going to see me and that they would spread the news,” the attacker explained.
“I [was] worried because people might think that I, despite being injured, went to a party. But I didn’t do anything, I was there, alone, with my little glasses and my cap.”
When asked if he expected to go unnoticed at that nightclub, he said: “No, I knew they were going to put me on the news, as they had done before, but at that time I was on vacation and I could do whatever I wanted. That is why I have decided, better, not to go out anymore. I go to a restaurant, quickly, so that people don’t notice me, but no more.
“I don’t go out there [Liverpool] either. But we go from time to time, to Italian restaurants, in that country the food is very different.
“In a different way [fans react] than they do here. In Colombia they may see me eating with the family and still won’t mind interrupting and asking for a photo. In England the behaviours are different, there will be no interruption during the meal, but some fans have followed me to my house.”
While his focus is firmly on Liverpool for the time being, he does have a childhood ambition of playing in La Liga, adding:
“I would like to play for a Spanish club that has always attracted my family’s attention, but it is more of a childish dream,”
“Now I only think about lifting trophies and making history with Liverpool, which is one of the biggest clubs in the world. I am very grateful for the opportunity they have given me.”
The Sports View
Liverpool fans should not be concerned about Diaz’s dream of playing in Spain, at 25, he has plenty of time ahead of him to get his fix of La Liga football a few years down the line.
For now, at least, Reds will be hoping that he is back and ready to be included in Jurgen Klopp’s plans when the season resumes after the World Cup.
