Exclusive: Neil Mellor on Luis Diaz, Thiago Alcantara and Liverpool's quadruple hopes

Former Liverpool player Neil Mellor talks exclusively to Anfield Watch about two of Liverpool's most impressive players this season and the quadruple hopes.

Neil Mellor, a youth graduate for Liverpool, was a squad player for a large majority of his Liverpool career. His most notable moment as a Red was his 'lovely cushioned header' for Steven Gerrard's goal against Olympiakos.

Speaking in an exclusive interview with Charlie Webb for Anfield Watch on behalf of OLBG, Mellor talked about how impressed he has been with Thiago Alcantara and Luis Diaz this season, as well as if Liverpool can actually win the quadruple.

Luis Diaz dazzled against Manchester United yesterday, how impressed have you been with him since he signed.

"He's been magnificent," said Mellor.

"I think the recruitment has been very good from Liverpool and he was a player mentioned previously, so they've had to bring him in at the right time and obviously January was the right time.

"He looks like a Liverpool player; he has that work rate about him and he knows he has to work hard in this team.

"He's got that little bit of bite about him and aggression, it reminds me of Suarez a little bit in terms of his attitude.

"He seems to have an understanding with the other attackers, it's always been a front three with Liverpool, but now it's five.

"There's going to be two players missing out in games and the quality is still there whether Luis Diaz starts or not.

"He's hit the ground running, he fits in very well and he looks happy, so I think you have to give the manager credit, but also the group of players for helping him settle quickly into what is expected at Liverpool."

Liverpool are in the final of the FA Cup, semi-final of the UCL and one point behind Man City, do you think they can win the quadruple this season?

"The reality is that these players are capable of achieving that," said Mellor.

"The closer they get then that's when the pressure will grow, and it'll be a case of how they deal with that.

"The big thing for Liverpool is the mentality of the players and I think they've shown that with winning the Champions League and the Premier League under Jurgen Klopp.

"Having that focus which has been spoken about amongst the players, but again Liverpool will need to have some luck with injuries.

"If they lost any key players for the last remaining games, then that would be a huge miss.

"It's an if at the moment, but if that was to happen then that's where you could potentially see Liverpool not winning the four trophies.

"To achieve that with this Manchester City side would be incredible, but of course, Real Madrid are still in the Champions League, and they'll have a say.

"This Liverpool group are incredible, and I think it's painful for a lot of Premier League teams to watch, but the reality is that this group are good enough and have the mentality to achieve the quadruple.

"If you're a Liverpool fan, you've just got to enjoy these moments because they don't come around often. Manchester United fans will remember 1999, what a year that was for them and it's something still spoken about today.

"In football, you've got to enjoy the good times because you know very quickly that things can change, and another team can have that success.

"This is Liverpool's time now and hopefully they can make the most of it by winning three or four trophies this year."

Thiago Alcantara was masterful against United last night, did you expect him to be this critical to Liverpool when he joined?

"I think he's an outstanding talent and he gives something that Liverpool don't have in midfield in terms of that 'wow pass'," said Mellor.

"He does passes that other players in the Premier League can't do and he's been a joy to watch.

"It took him a little time to settle in, he obviously had covid and a few injuries issues, but he's a main part of that Liverpool team now.

"I think it goes to show that the recruitment was right, but also the patience that Jurgen Klopp has had with him to persist and get the best out of him because he's playing magnificently well at the minute.

"He's a player enjoying himself and immersing himself within the group, but you can also see that he's connected with the football club.

"In the League Cup final against Chelsea, he got injured in the warmup and you could see the devastation on his face. He's a player who wants to be a big part of this group and he's showing that with his performances.

"We can sometimes forget that he's an experienced player as well, there's a lot of experience in that Liverpool dressing room when you talk about winning multiple trophies.

"Players like Thiago are important to that because they've been there and won some of the biggest trophies in football.

"He brings that experience and quality on the pitch."