Luis Diaz breaks silence with 'painful' message ahead of Liverpool return

Liverpool forward Luis Diaz has issued a public message for the first time since suffering defeat with Colombia in the Copa America final. He has pledged that the team will come back stronger.

It could be a slightly awkward return to Liverpool when Diaz checks in at the AXA Training Centre, given that Alexis Mac Allister will be scheduled to report back at the same time. The pair were on opposite sides in Miami as Argentina lifted the trophy after a grueling 120-minute encounter.

But both will get a break before then, delaying their first meeting with new boss Arne Slot . It will be interesting to see what he has in store for both of them — with questions over Mac Allister's best position, and with Diaz's place on the left coming under threat from Cody Gakpo following an excellent Euro 2024 campaign.

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In the meantime, Diaz will look to recharge. He admitted that the Copa America defeat has taken an emotional toll:

"Dear Colombians, I took a few days to process the pain of losing this final," Diaz wrote on Instagram . "Today I want to thank everyone who accompanied us during the Copa América from every corner of the country, the flag-waving in our hotels, their messages on networks, filling the stadiums, everything was incredible.

"Unfortunately we could not give ourselves the joy of being champions but I assure you that this group will not get tired of trying and that we will be excited again. I am proud of our entire team, we are a family and we have left everything on the field for our flag.

"Finally, I want to tell you that life has taught me to fall and get up, pain is a teacher that forges character and molds us for a better future. VIVA COLOMBIA we will return…"

It was a reasonably fruitful tournament for Diaz from a personal perspective. As ever, he was the main man for Colombia, and he netted a couple of goals en route to the final.

The challenge for the winger will be to take on similar importance in a Liverpool jersey. His aptitude for direct running and taking defenders on should stand him in good stead to impress Slot, based on how the new coach's Feyenoord side played, but competition for places at Anfield will be high.

Liverpool.com says: Diaz and Colombia can hold their heads high. They weren't marked down as the likeliest of finalists, and they took the world champions all the way to extra time.

It's a cruel way to lose any major tournament, but Liverpool will hope that Diaz comes back stronger for the experience. Once he's back, it would be good to settle any uncertainty over his future by agreeing a new deal, if that is the direction the club wants to take.