Liverpool have excited fans by bringing Porto winger Luis Diaz to Anfield, but he may actually end up playing in a central role at Anfield.
Diaz looked to be heading to Tottenham this time last week, with Spurs pushing for his signature after a £37.6million bid was rejected.
Come Friday though, Liverpool had hijacked Tottenham’s move and set up a deal to bring Diaz to Merseyside.
Just 48 hours later, Liverpool confirmed the signing of Diaz, paying around £37million rising to £49million.
Diaz has been a sensation in Portugal this season, smashing 16 goals and six assists in just 28 games across all competitions.
The Colombian star now bolsters Liverpool’s attacking options, and you would imagine he will mostly play on the left flank.
That’s where Diaz predominantly played for Porto, and Sadio Mane – who is out of contract in 2023 – has been a little up and down this season.
However, Jurgen Klopp may have an exciting plan in mind after The Athletic claimed over the weekend that Diaz could end up playing centrally.
That opens up some intriguing possibilities, including Diaz playing on the left of Liverpool’s midfield three.
It may sound rogue and too attacking, but Klopp did use Philippe Coutinho in that kind of role in the first half of the 2017-18 season.
Diaz could slot into that role if Klopp wants to go a little gung-ho, or playing centrally may mean Diaz plays in the middle of Liverpool’s front three.
Liverpool do though have Diogo Jota and Roberto Firmino for that role, meaning Diaz may find it hard to play there.
Diaz doesn’t have tons of experience in either role. He did occasionally play an attacking midfielder or striker at Atletico Junior in Colombia, but not very often.
Liverpool seemingly believe Diaz has the potential to play there, and the prospect of unleashing Diaz, Mane, Jota and Mohamed Salah sounds tantalising.
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