Liverpool legend believes the ‘real Luis Diaz’ is back after the Colombian scored in the Reds’ 2-0 win at in the on Sunday.
’s side were under pressure for a lot of the match, conceding a huge amount of chances but the Gunners failed score from any of their 18 shots on goal.
A replay loomed, but then a Jakub Kiwior own goal on 80 minutes put the visitors ahead at the Emirate, before Diaz powered in a late second to secure passage to the fourth round.
Liverpool were without Virgil van Dijk through illness, they have problems at left-back with both Andy Robertson and Kostas Tsimikas injured and Mo Salah and Wataru Endo are away on international duty.
With these absences in mind Carragher was more concerned with keeping the first team fit and avoiding a replay, but was delighted to get the victory and see Diaz playing well.
‘Winning today wasn’t my priority for the team, it was no injuries or replay, but once the game starts you can’t help but be desperate for the win!’ Carragher posted on social media.
‘Huge result, but what could be pivotal for @LFC it looks like the real is back in these last two games.’
Diaz’s season has been horribly influenced by the kidnapping of his father in his home country, but he now appears to be returning to his best form with his family safe again and those concerns behind him, taking his tally to six goals for the season.
The captain for the day Trent Alexander-Arnold was delighted to pick up a big win, which seemed unlikely at times, and hailed the changes Klopp made at half-time to utilise the speed of Diaz and Darwin Nunez more.
‘It’s huge,’ he said. ‘We’ve got a lot of players missing today with the lads on internationals and Virg not in the squad. We dug deep with two late goals. We changed things around at half-time and we came out and played football, created our chances. The change of system made an impact for us.’
‘At times in the first half we were a bit naïve playing out from the back. We stuck with how we play. We have our identity and used the speed of Darwin and Lucho [Luis Diaz]. Darwin went out wide and used his speed against their full-back.’
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