Michael Owen names Liverpool’s ‘most important player’ after Mohamed Salah

Follow us on Google Discover

Michael Owen has lauded Luis Diaz and where he stands in Liverpool’s pecking order alongside Mohamed Salah.

The former striker thinks, after Mohamed Salah, it’s Luis Diaz who is ‘Liverpool’s most important player’ and how the kit ‘just fitted’ when he first joined the club, as he told Premier League Productions (15/05/23 at 7:50 pm). 

Jurgen Klopp secured the services of the all-action winger during the 2022 January transfer window and he made an impact straight away on his debut in the FA Cup.

As soon as he touched the Anfield surface, there was a spark to the 26-year-old’s game.

But, for large parts of this season, he has been on the sidelines, which has played its part in Liverpool’s own struggles.

Whilst Diaz is now trying to find that rhythm once more, Owen spoke about the player’s return and what he brings to the table that makes him so valuable.

“They have missed him,” said Owen. “Liverpool are quite well-off in those positions, at the moment.

Bar Salah is Diaz the most important when he is fit, he responded: “You probably would say, when he is fit. When he is fit and firing, you would probably say he is the most important after Salah, but they have got a lot of good players in that position. 

“It’s nice to be able to bring a player like this back slowly. When you have been away for a long period of time, then you don’t want to be thrown into 90 minutes and then play every single game. Well, you do want to. But you should be managed in a better way and Jurgen Klopp has done that with this guy.

“I thought, as soon as he arrived at Liverpool. That red kit just fitted straight away. The way he defended from the front. I think if there is one thing, and lots of things have gone wrong for Liverpool this year, but if I could pinpoint one thing, then I think it’s the way they defend from the front. 

“When this guy came, I thought he was brilliant. Without him and Salah, then I think they struggle in that department. He is a big plus, not just with the ball, but without.”

CAN DIAZ FILL MANE VOID?

From a defensive aspect, many feel that the way Sadio Mane used to press from he front is missed by Liverpool.

The Bayern Munich star, who is set to leave after less than 12 months, had an aggression to his game that not many could live with.

But if Diaz can get that full season under his belt, then there is no reason why he doesn’t hit double figures and provide that magic Mane used to produce with and without the ball.