Liverpool will be removing three players from their Premier League squad after the signing of Luis Diaz from Porto.
The Colombian moved to Anfield at the end of the January transfer window for a fee that could rise to £50m. The Reds were able to beat off competition from Tottenham, who were also in for the player.
Diaz will now push for a starting role despite Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah commanding the wide roles for years at the club.
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The new arrival does count as an overseas player meaning Jurgen Klopp, who is already using his full compliment of 17, will have to remove one player.
That man is set to be Loris Karius, with the German keeper poised to leave Liverpool in the summer having not played since the 2018 Champions League final. And he is fourth choice at the club, behind Alisson, Caoimhin Kelleher and Adrian.
It means Diaz will be able to assist with his new club’s title charge in the second-half of the league campaign. Klopp said after the signing: “I could not be happier that we’ve been able to get this deal done and bring Luis to Liverpool.
“I have always been a believer in only signing players in January if you would want to sign them in the summer, and that’s very much the case with Luis. “He is an outstanding player and someone we’ve been tracking for a very long time.
“We believe he has everything needed to fit into our way and adapt to the Premier League, both physically and mentally. He is a player who is hungry for success and knows you have to fight to get what you want.
“He is a fighter, no doubt. He’s a skilful team player who has always the goal in mind.”
While Diaz came in, both Neco Williams and Nat Phillips left Liverpool on loan. Both players dropped down to the Championship, joining Fulham and Bournemouth respectively.
Premier League teams can name no more than 17 overseas players in their 25-man squads, with the eight remaining places available only to homegrown players.
Klopp only named a named a 24-man squad in the summer, using his complete allocation of 17 overseas players, but the exits of Sheyi Ojo, Ben Davies and Ben Woodburn leaving him unable to name eight homegrown players more than the age of 21.
Phillips was one of his seven homegrown players and his exit means the club will have a 23-man squad going forward. But, Klopp will not be struggling for players going forward, with U21 players not needing to be registered.
Players like Curtis Jones, Harvey Elliott, Kaide Gordon and Tyler Morton all fall into that category and all have already played at point this campaign.
