Jamie Carragher has told Sky Sports’ Monday Night Football that Luis Diaz is a “superstar” in the making but says the Colombian is missing the numbers from reaching that next level – after his goal for Liverpool on Monday.
Diaz, 25, joined Liverpool in January from Porto and has instantly become a fan favourite. His incredible work rate and tenacity in attack has endeared himself to the Liverpool support. That, and his wonderful form in the final third.
However, in 29 appearances in both league and cup, the 35 Colombia international has only produced 12 goal involvements. His effort against Palace was only the seventh goal he has scored. He has five assists in a red shirt.
Compare that to Tottenham talent Dejan Kulusevski, who also moved to England for the first time in January, the numbers are not as good. The Swede has played seven less games – 22 – but has 15 goal involvements.
Carragher believes Liverpool have a wonderful player on their hands, but thinks he needs to start scoring the goals Sadio Mane scored to reach the next level. He described him as a player that simply does not how to stop.
“This lad has been outstanding, he just hasn’t got the numbers. Constant running, he doesn’t stop. When he loses the ball, he gets it back quickly. Pure fire, energy. If he gets the goals Mane can get, he could be an absolute superstar.”
Carragher: Diaz missing numbers for Liverpool
It is a fair point from Carragher. But Diaz has still enjoyed some excellent moments in a Liverpool shirt. Seven goals and five assists in 29 games from out wide is still a decent return – especially given he has only started 21 of those outings.
In those 21 starts, he has been substituted 15 times. On Monday, it was only the sixth time in a Liverpool shirt that he had seen out the entire 90 minutes. But if he is to reach Mane’s level, Carragher is right – he needs to score more goals.
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