Luis Diaz completes the set with Fulham goal – but Klopp wanted more

Luis Diaz's first half goal helped confirm Liverpool's place in the Carabao Cup final on Wednesday night. The winger has now scored in every competition he has featured in this season.

Diaz took down a raking cross-field pass from Jarell Quansah early into the first half at Craven Cottage, before firing a deflected shot past Bernd Leno.

While Fulham equalised in the second half through Issa Diop, it proved little more than a consolation as Liverpool won 3-2 on aggregate over the two-legged semi final.

It was an impressive showing from Diaz, who completed the most dribbles (3), created the most chances (3), won the most duels (10) and won the most fouls (3) on the night, as well as scoring the crucial goal.

The strike was also a significant one on a personal level for Diaz, who has now netted in every competition he has played in for Liverpool this season, as noted by @BBCMOTD.

In addition to his one Carabao Cup goal, the Colombian has three in the Premier League, two in the Europa League and one in the FA Cup to date in 2023/24.

Speaking to Sky Sports after the game, Jurgen Klopp joked that he wanted more from the match-winner.

"He got Man of the Match obviously, and I told him already ‘Man of the Match should have scored two goals and must have one assist’, so then we are halfway home already!" Klopp said.

Speaking in his post-match press conference, Klopp reiterated that Diaz might've had more goal contributions on the night but praised the winger's ability.

"Honestly, he’s a fantastic player, absolutely fantastic," Klopp said. "There’s absolutely no criticism, but I wish he would have set up the second and scored the third.

"Because first half it was a fantastic football situation, where he was in a similar situation from when he scored.

"But playing-wise, what a boy! The speed, the power he can generate, the technique, the combination of all that is absolutely outstanding."

Diaz appears to be rekindling his best form in recent showings, after some subdued performances earlier in the season – a hardly surprising reality considering the trauma he experienced when his parents were kidnapped last year.

Speaking last week, Klopp said of Diaz's recent revitalisation: "He’s back, that’s good and pretty helpful. You can see it in each training session, it’s different.

"I spoke here when he came here, and I never saw something like that: he cannot not smile when he is on the ball. It was in the beginning like that and there were a few weeks when I missed that a little bit, but the smile is back, so that’s really good."