Luis Diaz has had a tough 12 months off the field of play and it has meant that Liverpool fans haven’t seen the best of him.
Despite that, the 25-year-old showed signs of his old self towards the back end of the previous campaign by scoring five Premier League goals in 2024.
The all-action winger then continued that by finding the back of the net twice during Colombia’s run to the Copa America final before they were beaten by Argentina.
Liverpool fans are well aware of Luis Diaz’s talents and what he can produce on his day, with Phil Thompson calling him a ‘really good player’.
But as the Anfield legend mentioned, talk of his future on Merseyside rumbles on in the background, especially given what his father has had to say in recent times.
Liverpool have become aware of intermediaries ‘making noises’ about Diaz’s future, but sources have told HITC that they have no intention of selling him.
Last season, Diaz scored eight Premier League goals and supplied five assists. This is despite having to deal with off-field problems following the kidnapping of his dad.
But still, transfer links between Diaz, Real Madrid and Paris-Saint Germain won’t go away, which is why one transfer rumour this summer makes interesting reading.
Noises have come out about Anthony Gordon possibly being wanted by Liverpool – he joined Newcastle United for £45 million (Sky Sports) from Everton during the January transfer window of 2023.
Thompson described that link as ‘interesting’ and how Arne Slot’s 4-3-3 formation is one that he very much likes.
But he made it clear that he does ‘worry’ that if a player like Gordon comes in, then it means that Diaz could leave, as he told talkSPORT (16/07/24 at 9:30 am).
Anthony Gordon to replace Luis Diaz at Liverpool?
“I do like the 4-3-3,” said Thompson. “It is a great formation and those wide players, which has been very successful. Sadio Mane and Mo Salah.
“The Anthony Gordon one was an interesting one. I thought ‘yeah, I can get that’, But I worried that was Luis Diaz (leaving). Because there was talk about him maybe moving. His father giving all kinds of ideas out. You thought ‘Luis Diaz is a really good player’. He came back from a bad injury, so what was that?
“I just think the squad is a good squad. Yes, it maybe needs a couple of new players in there.”
Luis Diaz under Arne Slot
Wingers thrive under Slot, his formations are built for them and Liverpool’s wide players were very successful under the now-departed Jurgen Klopp.
Diaz has always shown that he is a great player, but you just sense he really hasn’t truly exploded and hit big, big heights.
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From off-field stuff to injuries. They have all proven to be a stumbling block.
But if Diaz can get his head down under Slot, then there is no reason why he can’t hit double figures, in terms of goals and assists next season because he has it in his locker.
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