Klopp hails Luis Díaz’s first Liverpool start as ‘one of the best I ever saw’

Jürgen Klopp has described Luis Díaz’s full Liverpool debut as “one of the best I ever saw” while insisting the new signing needs time to adapt to the Premier League.

The Colombia international made an accomplished first start for Klopp’s team in the 2-0 defeat of Leicester on Thursday, when handed an early opportunity to impress Anfield in the absence of Sadio Mané.

Related: Diogo Jota double sinks Leicester to maintain Liverpool’s title pursuit

Klopp credited Díaz’s “skill-set and character” for the seamless introduction and, despite calling for calm, admits he was captivated by the winger’s 89-minute display.

“It was his first game and it was probably one of the best I ever saw from a new player, that’s true, because he looked completely natural,” the Liverpool manager said. “But it was only a first game and we have to see how he adapts to working with intensity and all this kind of things in the Premier League.

“There is no rush. Last night was a very good opportunity to start him because of Sadio not being here yet and Mo [Salah] coming back from an incredibly tense tournament and, yes, he showed up.”

Liverpool had planned to sign Díaz this summer but brought forward their move once Porto accepted a fee from Tottenham for the 25-year-old, who could eventually cost €60m (£50m). Klopp admits timing has been a key factor in Liverpool’s success in the transfer market during his reign.

Klopp, who has Mané available for Sunday’s visit to Burnley, said: “I am 100% sure that a year later Diogo Jota would have had offers from other top clubs – that is how it is. It is similar to Mo. If he had played another season at Roma in the same manner then there probably would have been other clubs in for him as well. So it is about