<\/p>\n
Liverpool head coach Jurgen Klopp has admitted that Luis Diaz\u2019s recent injury setback was like a \u201cproper smash in the face\u201d to him and the player.<\/p>\n
The Reds are gearing up for their first Premier League game after the World Cup break on Boxing Day against Aston Villa.<\/p>\n
A couple of days earlier, they have the small matter of a game in the Carabao Cup round of 16 against Manchester City.<\/p>\n
Liverpool\u2019s squad are currently in the United Arab Emirates for a training camp ahead of their return to league and cup action later this month.<\/p>\n
They faced Lyon in a friendly on Sunday. Fabio Carvalho scored early one to make 1-0 to Klopp\u2019s side. Alexandre Lacazette later netted a brace as the French side eventually ran out 3-1 winners.<\/p>\n
Liverpool have another friendly next Friday as they come up against Serie A champions AC Milan.<\/p>\n
Klopp suggested after his side\u2019s defeat that they will use this game as one to \u201clearn from\u201d.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe start of the game from us was really good, I liked a lot of parts in the first half. I saw what we were working on in the training sessions so far,\u201d Klopp said in a press conference.<\/p>\n
\u201cReally aggressive, played well, good connected, could have scored a second one and then we concede the equaliser with a misunderstanding between [Andy Robertson] and Caoimhin [Kelleher]. Not cool \u2013 but can happen, obviously.<\/p>\n
\u201cSecond half we had to change a lot [and] with all the things we did in training it was clear 60 minutes is the maximum what anybody can play.<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd then we were really young and not well organised anymore. Let me say it like this, when we lost the ball then it ended up in front of our goal.<\/p>\n
\u201cEvery ball we lost was a counter-attack and was pretty much a big chance, that\u2019s of course not how it should look, but that\u2019s a learning curve and we will use this game to learn from.\u201d<\/p>\n
Harvey Elliott was brought off before half-time against Lyon and Klopp revealed after the game that the midfielder \u201cgot a knock\u201d.<\/p>\n
\u201cHarvey got a knock before we scored. Harvey got a knock. But I think we were lucky,\u201d Klopp revealed<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u201cHe looks fine now but he feels it, that\u2019s normal, there was contact. But I hope we were lucky in that moment.\u201d<\/p>\n On Luis Diaz, Klopp added: \u201cYeah, he was not in the best possible place. It\u2019s clear it\u2019s a big disappointment for all of us, for him as well.<\/p>\n \u201cIt was a non-situation in training, honestly \u2013 nothing, felt something. [He] didn\u2019t feel a lot the next day but we wanted to be really cautious and said, \u2018OK, come on, let\u2019s have a look\u2019.<\/p>\n \u201cYeah, then the news came and it was a proper smash in the face. But that\u2019s it now.\u201d<\/p>\n