Masks off, Klopp has spotted the player to blame for Liverpool's under-performance, here's what he would do

2023 has not started as Jürgen Klopp had hoped. That new year leaves old problems behind does not go hand in hand with Liverpool. If the absence of Luis Diaz was already a burden to bear, the footballing display that Pool have been showing in these days of January has more than a few people breaking out in a cold sweat. And the performance against Chelsea, this Saturday at Anfield, revealed even more of the shortcomings on the attacking front.

They say comparisons are odious. And perhaps most would agree. But what there is no doubt about is that the 'Diaz effect' doesn't happen overnight. Neither Darwin Nunez nor Cody Gakpo have exploded to their full potential. And if he used to intimidate the Reds' offense, this time around he's just a tickle or two.

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So alarming is Liverpool's output at the start of the year that, of five games played, they have finished four games behind their opponents in terms of shots on target. With the exception of today's game against the Blues, Jürgen Klopp's side have been through thick and thin against Wolves (twice), Brighton and Brentford. Yes, one swallow does not make a summer, but the absence of Diaz is revealing that Salah is not enough.

Luis Diaz's absence affects Liverpool

As if that didn't help matters, in a month's time there is a Champions League last-16 clash with Madrid. And while the Whites are not at their best either, the last thing Ancelotti's side are lacking is a spark up front. Benzema, Vinícius, Rodrygo... the Italian's cards are falling out of his hand just by looking at his squad, and at the same time he is rubbing his hands together knowing that one of his worst nightmares, Díaz, is unlikely to be there. That's why Jürgen Klopp, realising this, has urged the Colombian to recover as soon as possible.