Colombian manager criticises recent comments saying Luis Diaz needs to carry Colombia

In recent weeks, Liverpool's newest signing, Luis Diaz, has been talked about as the Colombia national team's new saviour but Reinaldo Rueda, Colombia's manager, has hit out at these comments.

Former Colombian international Faustino Asprilla recently claimed that the 'responsibility' of the Colombian national team's future is on Diaz's shoulders.

When the former Newcastle United man said this it was met by a lot of criticism, especially from supporters of Liverpool.

However, after Colombia's 3-0 win against Bolivia, in which Diaz scored an amazing goal, Reinaldo Rueda, Colombia's manager, hit back at comments saying that the 25-year-old isn't responsible for the success of the national team, as cited by LFC Transfer Room.

"I met with Lucho to talk about this issue. He is part of the solution, but he’s not the solution. He should not carry that backpack," said Rueda.

"He’s the great reference for what he’s been experiencing since the Copa América that took him from Porto to Liverpool, but he’s part of the national team and not the saviour of the team.

"The concepts [he's learned] in those few weeks that he has been at Liverpool have increased [His football IQ] and hopefully he assumes it naturally and that he can bring us all those joys that he shows at his club."

Anfield Watch Verdict

It's great to see the Colombia manager coming out and defending Diaz. We all know the pressure that national team football can have on some players' careers and comments like these definitely don't help.

There is no doubt that Jurgen Klopp would've spoken about it to Diaz when he returned to Liverpool but it's also nice that the most senior figure in the national team setup has hit back at comments like this.

Hopefully, his goal against Bolivia can put these comments to bed as unnecessary pressure like this isn't needed, especially during a World Cup Qualifier.