“He’s back smiling” – Trent Alexander-Arnold offers positive update on ‘exciting’ Liverpool star

Liverpool right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold has expressed his excitement at teammate Luis Diaz's return to full fitness. Alexander-Arnold also said that the forward seems to be enjoying his return to action.

Diaz was excellent for the Reds early in this campaign, notching up four goals and three assists in 11 games across the Premier League and UEFA Champions League. However, a knee injury has kept him on the sidelines since October last year.

The Colombian recently made his return to training and looks set to complete his comeback from injury. Alexander-Arnold is undoubtedly pleased with the prospect of having Diaz fit again, telling Liverpool's website (as quoted by Emipre of the Kop):

‘‘He’s a top player, a top lad. It’s been a tough season for him to see him out so much. But he’s back; he’s back smiling; he’s enjoying his football, so that’s all you can ask (for). ‘With a player like that, he brings enthusiasm to the team and brings a spark that not many players have. It’s exciting to have him back.’’

Diaz notably played a key role for Jurgen Klopp's side in the second half of last season, as they went close to achieving an unprecedented quadruple. The winger, who arrived from Porto in January 2022, recorded six goals and four assists in 26 games across competitions, winning the FA Cup and EFL Cup.

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Luis Diaz could play part in Liverpool's first game after international break

Liverpool will return to action after the March international break with a blockbuster clash this weekend. The Reds visit the Etihad to take on holders Manchester City in the Premier League on Saturday (April 1).

According to the Mirror, Luis Diaz is in contention to face the Cityzens after his aforementioned training session with the first team. Should he get some minutes on Saturday, it will mark his first appearance for Liverpool since a 3-2 league defeat to Arsenal on October 9, 2022.

Jurgen Klopp's side need a win to keep their top-four hopes alive. They're sixth in the Premier League, seven points behind fourth-placed Tottenham Hotspur, who have played two games more.

However, history doesn't favour Liverpool when it comes to games at the Etihad. They last beat City away from home in a league game in 2015 when they came out 4-1 winners. However, the Reds did beat the Cityzens in Manchester in last season's FA Cup and in the 2017-18 UEFA Champions League.