Liverpool Hero Breaks Down in Tears After Reaching First Champions League Final

• Luis Diaz was on target for Liverpool once again in the emphatic 3-2 win over 10-man Villareal
• Trailing 2-0 Diaz was introduced in the second half and got the goal that restored parity on the day
• Diaz was in tears at full time as he reached his first ever Champions League final

Liverpool's January signing Luis Diaz could not hold back his tears on the realization that he had reached his first-ever Champions League final.

Diaz’s arrival at Liverpool has proven to be the perfect marriage as the winger has hit the ground running at Anfield since his move from FC Porto.

He was on target once again on Tuesday, May 3, with a goal that was instrumental in helping Liverpool come from behind to beat Villareal 3-2 in the Champions League semi final second leg.

After Liverpool’s place in the final was confirmed, the Colombian was spotted balling in tears of both joy and disbelief.

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Diaz went the extra mile of thanking the travelling support who came to the Estadio de la Ceramica to cheer the Reds on.

Classy Diaz

The second leg was one to remember as Villareal put up a brave performance to give their visitors a mighty scare in the first half.

Goals from Boulaye Dia and ex-Arsenal midfielder Francis Coquelin restored parity in the tie as the sides went to the break locked 2-2 on aggregate.

But Liverpool, who have lost only once in their last 28 games, came out guns blazing in the second half, with Fabinho’s powerful shot restoring the Merseyside club’s lead.

Luis Diaz, who had a man-of-the-match performance in the game, then made it 4-2 on aggregate with a header at the back post.

Notably, Diaz had only been introduced in the second half, replacing Diogo Jota.

His performance was met by praise from the likes of Michael Owen, who said he had never seen a player who has hit the ground running as seamlessly as the Colombian.

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Rio Ferdinand also seemed to echo Owen’s sentiments, saying on BT Sport:

What a player man. He's my signing of the season. He's mesmeric."

Liverpool will now face either Real Madrid or Manchester City in the final.

Mane for Ballo d'or?

Elsewhere, Sadio Mane has now emerged as a strong front runner for the Ballon d’Or award. Mane started the season sluggishly but has since picked up the pace to put his name forward for the coveted award.

Despite a sluggish start to the season, Mane has since picked up the pace to put his name forward for the coveted award.

Mane has been played a false 9 by Jurgen Klopp since Luiz Diaz’s arrival from Porto. He has flourished in that position by linking up play, setting up goals and scoring them. He has 14 goals in this Premier League campaign so far.