25 January 2024 , 09:51
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Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has hailed "fantastic" Luis Duiz after the winger scored the goal that helped set up a mouth-watering Carabao Cup final against Chelsea next month.
The Reds booked their place in February's final at Wembley following a 3-2 aggregate victory over Fulham. After a 2-1 win in the first leg, Klopp's side earned a 1-1 draw at Craven Cottage to squeeze over the line.
Diaz gave Liverpool the lead in Wednesday's semi-final second-leg clash after he beat Timothy Castagne to the ball before firing beyond Bernd Leno via a couple of deflections. The Colombian was superb all evening and won the Player of the Match award for his performance.
Speaking after the game, Klopp was quizzed on Diaz's display. "Very good," Klopp said. "He’s a fantastic player, absolutely. Absolutely no criticism but I wish he would’ve set up the second and scored the third because first half it was a fantastic football situation where he was in a similar situation like when he scored.
"But playing-wise, what a boy! The speed, the power he can generate, the technique, the combination of all that… it is absolutely outstanding. I am really happy. I liked Darwin’s performance a lot today as well, to be honest. He was maybe not involved in these kind of finish situations, but to defend him is a nightmare, to be honest. He was everywhere, he kept the ball and all these kind of things.
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"The boys bring us that, we can use from time to time. It was just a good game, a good cup game. Whoever expected tonight that we just show quality and we get through and this will be a walk in the park doesn't understand the game and doesn't understand the importance of the occasion. Both teams wanted to go to Wembley - and we qualified and that’s all we could wish for."
Luis Diaz has scored seven goals for Liverpool this season (Getty Images)Will Liverpool win the Carabao Cup? Let us know in the comments below!
Diaz now has seven goals and two assists for Liverpool this season as they eye a second Carabao Cup success in three years after beating Chelsea in the 2022 final. The Reds also sit five points clear at the top of the Premier League, are in the fourth round of the FA Cup and face a last 16 Europa League tie in March.