Pundit thinks Liverpool have player set for ‘special’ season, could be ‘better player than Mane’

Follow us on Google Discover

Stuart Pearce has hailed Luis Diaz and believes that the Liverpool star could even prove to be a better player than Sadio Mane for the Reds.

Jurgen Klopp picked up the first silverware of the seasons by winning the Community Shield on Saturday evening.

Liverpool beat Manchester City 3-1 at the King Power Stadium to secure a trophy in the curtain-raiser for the Premier League season.

Trent Alexander-Arnold, Mohamed Salah and Darwin Nunez were all on the scoresheet for Liverpool as they landed the first blow on City.

Stuart Pearce has hailed Luis Diaz

The usual characters were on their game for Liverpool with Alexander-Arnold and Salah both on the scoresheet.

Yet in the eyes of Stuart Pearce, it was winger Luis Diaz who deserved most of the praise.

The Colombian made a huge impact at Liverpool after joining from Porto in January.

Tottenham Hotspur looked to be favourites for Diaz until Liverpool swooped in and brought him to Anfield.

Diaz immediately secured a spot on the left flank for Liverpool with Sadio Mane moving up front before his big move to Bayern Munich.

The 25-year-old is being backed for big things this season with both he and Nunez being relied upon to replace Mane in the Liverpool attack.

Diaz continues to rake in praise and former England ace Pearce has joined in with the adulation.

Pearce told talkSPORT that he thinks Diaz may win the Player of the Year award this season, believing that he is ‘almost unshakable’ on the ball.

Pearce noted that Liverpool will miss Mane but actually thinks that Diaz could be a ‘slightly better player’ and better goalscorer.

There is little to really suggest that Diaz will be the goalscorer Mane was for Liverpool, but Pearce thinks he is on course for a ‘special’ campaign.

“I think Diaz could be Player of the Year,” said Pearce. “I was so impressed with Diaz last season, how he hit the ground running, his goals, his effort. He’s almost unshakable on the ball, I really like him.”

“Will Liverpool miss Mane, of course, but I think Diaz could be a slightly better player and a better goalscorer. I think he could be a special player this year. What a talent,” he added.