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Ruben Peeters has reflected on how crucial Luis Diaz's behind-the-scenes conduct proved to be for Liverpool during their Premier League title-winning campaign under Arne Slot. The club's former lead physical performance coach was part of the backroom team for two seasons before his departure this summer.
Diaz worked under Peeters for barely 12 months but made a lasting impact on the Belgian, who had previously worked at Genk and then Feyenoord with Slot. The Colombian featured in all but two Premier League fixtures for Liverpool throughout that campaign, netting 13 goals while providing five assists.
His influence extended beyond match days, though. Peeters now describes him as "incredible".
Discussing how he incorporated games and competitive elements into recovery sessions held the day following fixtures, Peeters has told The Athletic: "Ibou Konate, Robbo (Andy Robertson) and Luis Diaz were great at relieving stress and bringing fun and enthusiasm.
"Diaz was incredible. His South American dancing! Although his English was not great, he was always in a good mood and eager to win games or the competitions we ran in training, so it was great to have him in the group."
"Virgil (Van Dijk), Mo (Salah), and Macca (Alexis Mac Allister) were already at a very good level of professionalism, so they helped me with requests to the other guys."
Jurgen Klopp, while still at the helm at Liverpool, discussed how rapidly Diaz integrated during the winger's opening week at the club despite having no command of English. The German explained: "Thiago, Bobby (Firmino), Ali(sson), Adrian have all helped him.
"He's also really close to Curtis Jones and Harvey (Elliott); I have no idea how they talk. On an emotional basis, they are like this [locks fingers], and they were after a week, and it's really strange."
Diaz equally praised his former colleagues upon his departure. A message shared on his Instagram account stated in part: "Three-years-and-a-half that I'll treasure forever. I arrived with all the dreams in the world, and I am leaving proud of everything we achieved together.
"I have met incredible people, fabulous colleagues, coaches who helped me a lot and extraordinary fans. Liverpool is, indeed, a special team, and I will keep everyone in my heart.
"The cycle ends here, and it is so gratifying to look back and realise how happy we were. Not only because of the trophies we won, but for the union and friendship that made it all possible.
"There were ups and downs, as there always are, but there was always truth. As it should be in a family. It's good to be leaving with the feeling of a duty fulfilled, and, most of all, to be leaving a champion."