Luis Diaz have indicated his contentment with life at Liverpool, aiming to quell any uncertainties about his future among Kopites. However, recent developments suggest that speculation may persist.
According to a report from his native Colombia, Diaz’s representatives are scheduled to meet with a Spanish club next week. It is widely believed this club is Barcelona, particularly since the winger’s father disclosed that playing for the La Liga giants has always been a dream for his son.
Despite ongoing rumours, the current situation suggests that Arne Slot will be strategising for his inaugural season at Anfield with Diaz in his plans. Since joining from Porto in January 2022, the 27-year-old has been a regular fixture in the team.
His immediate impact saw him assume the role on the left flank, a position that shifted Sadio Mane into a central role, contributing to Jurgen Klopp’s squad narrowly missing out on a Quadruple.
Since his arrival, Diaz has amassed 98 appearances for Liverpool, registering 24 goals and 10 assists. These numbers could have been higher had it not been for a six-month absence due to a knee injury sustained against Arsenal in October 2022.
Known for his electrifying pace and ability to unsettle defenders, Diaz has occasionally faced criticism for his lack of productivity in the final third. Unlike Mane, who consistently provided assists during his tenure, Diaz has sometimes struggled in this aspect.
One possible explanation for this could be his heavy workload. He has often been heavily relied upon on the left side, especially when players like Diogo Jota have faced fitness challenges. Additionally, Darwin Nunez’s preference as a center-forward has further influenced the team’s dynamics.
Liverpool are actively searching for a new attacker in the upcoming summer transfer window, with a specific focus on identifying a long-term successor to Mo Salah, whose contract is set to expire in 2025. This necessitates planning should Salah choose to depart.
Additionally, there is a need to alleviate the workload on Luis Diaz, who played 42 out of 51 games in the 2023-24 season. Finding a capable rotation option for Diaz could enhance his goal-scoring contributions.
Manager Jurgen Klopp will closely monitor the European Championships to scout potential recruits, particularly on the left flank. Two notable prospects that have caught his attention are Cody Gakpo and Dominik Szoboszlai.
Cody Gakpo has been advocated by sections of the fanbase to play regularly on the flank, where he had an impressive stint with PSV Eindhoven, scoring nine goals and providing 12 assists in just 14 league games during the first half of the 2022-23 season.
Despite arriving for a significant fee and initially being deployed as a striker, Gakpo showcased his prowess on the left wing for the Netherlands, notably scoring in their 2-1 victory over Poland.
Dominik Szoboszlai, signed for £60 million from RB Leipzig, has predominantly featured as a central midfielder for Liverpool but demonstrated versatility by playing on the left wing for Hungary.
Despite an uneven performance in Hungary’s 3-1 loss to Switzerland, Szoboszlai contributed an assist and received a commendable match rating of 7.4.
As Liverpool transitions under new manager, Slot, there is speculation about potential positional changes for both Gakpo and Szoboszlai. Slot’s preference for a 4-2-3-1 formation raises questions about where Szoboszlai fits best, given his flexibility and skill set.
Ultimately, as Liverpool prepare for the new season, the challenge lies in integrating new attacking options while ensuring effective squad rotation to maintain competitiveness across all competitions.
In other Liverpool news, Liverpool Frontrunners for £25m Youngster Who’s “More Talented” Than Ronaldo