Pep Lijnders begged Klopp to sign unbelievable player - Klopp told him: "He is a game-changer"

Pep Lijnders has revealed the process behind the signing of Luis Diaz in his new book titled Intensity.

In Intensity – Lijnders’ real-time account of the remarkable 2021-22 campaign - he shares intimate details of tactics as well as detailing transfers such as Diaz from Porto.

The book is available from the 4th of August and will surely be a big hit with Liverpool fans.

Diaz made 26 appearances and scored six goals during the second half of the season, but the quality of his overall play showed that Lijnders, and Liverpool, had got this one right.

Lijnders' comments on 'game-changer' Diaz

Parts of the book have been released including a look at how and why Liverpool targeted the Columbian winger.

The coach revealed how the club scouts players; there are videos with analysis of strengths and weaknesses but he likes to watch full matches of players he's really interested in.

Here are some of his quotes from the last analysis he did about Diaz when Porto played away against Estoril.

“Counter-press impulse will improve easily within our style and training. Will become more intense with this. More aggressive with this,” the Dutchman wrote, as shared online by the club’s official website.

"While preparing pressing, he reads where the next pass goes to intercept, runs with all he has in these moments. He smells these chances to intercept close to the opposition goal. Never stops. Wants to defend forward. Love that…

"Great touch and control of the ball. Inside-the-box skill to create shots. Can dribble, goes easily, outplay/slides left and right passing the defenders. Goes one-on-one to shoot from distance, what is good for our game…"

Klopp's reaction to the analysis

Following the analysis, Klopp was quick to reply with his praise and instantly green-lighted the transfer.

There's no doubt he was always a Liverpool player in the making.

“Jürgen responded to this report with: “He is a game-changer.”

“I texted back: “Absolutely, literally for them and figuratively for us.” We hoped we could get the deal done.”