Time to Go: Arne Slot Must Ditch “Wøūful” Liverpool Star Who’s Earning More Than Konate & Diaz
One challenging afternoon aside, Liverpool have excelled under the management of Arne Slot this season. The Dutch coach took over a high-quality team from Jurgen Klopp, who had exhausted his resources after building a remarkable legacy. However, the Reds were not without their flaws.
Last season, Liverpool’s title hope were dashed by a disastrous stretch of form in the Premier League in April. During this period, they faced defeats against eventual Europa League champions Atalanta and FA Cup winners Manchester United, both of whom eliminated Liverpool from contention.
While Klopp concluded his time with a commendable run in the Carabao Cup, there remains a wealth of potential in this Liverpool team under new guidance. Many players are notably developing and improving their performances.
Let’s explore two of the standout performers.
Luis Diaz for Liverpool in 2023/24 Season
Luis Diaz has emerged as a standout player this season. In just five Premier League matches, the Colombian winger has netted five impressive goals and provided one assist.
| Luis Diaz: Premier League Comparison | ||
|---|---|---|
| Stats (*per game) | 23/24 | 24/25 |
| Matches (starts) | 37 (32) | 5 (5) |
| Goals | 8 | 5 |
| Assists | 5 | 1 |
| Touches* | 43.8 | 42.4 |
| Shots (on target) | 2.5 (0.9) | 2.6 (1.6) |
| Pass completion | 85% | 90% |
| Key passes* | 1.8 | 1.6 |
| Ball recoveries* | 3.4 | 3.6 |
| Dribbles (completed)* | 1.8 | 2.0 |
| Tackles + interceptions* | 1.0 | 1.6 |
| Total Duels won* | 4.6 | 4.6 |
| Stats Source: Sofascore | ||
He had a strong start last season, scoring in both of Liverpool’s opening matches. However, he managed only one goal and one assist in the following 18 games.
While his underlying statistics from last year are quite similar to his early-season performance, it’s clear that he is now significantly more effective and lethal in his attacking contributions.
Ibrahima Konate for Liverpool in 2023/24 Season
Luis Diaz is not the only player experiencing a thrilling resurgence this season. Ibrahima Konate has been a standout figure in Liverpool’s defence, making significant contributions, including scoring at the San Siro during last week’s Champions League match. He has combined technical skill with formidable defensive prowess in the English Premier League.
According to Sofascore, the France international has won 77% of his duels in the league over his five appearances, achieving a pass completion rate of 91% and providing a beautiful assist for Diaz’s opening goal against Bournemouth last weekend.
Since joining Liverpool from RB Leipzig in 2021 for £36 million, Konate has established himself as a dominant defender. At just 25 years old, he has already made 96 appearances for the club, though his form fluctuated last season.
Last year, he struggled as Liverpool faced difficulties under Klopp, with The Athletic’s James Pearce describing his performances as “dreadful.” Particularly, he was criticised for his role in Liverpool’s defeat to Crystal Palace at Anfield in April, which Pearce referenced.
Pundit Jamie Carragher also voiced concerns regarding Konate’s form towards the end of last season, stating, “Konate’s been so poor of late, really poor. Liverpool need to buy a centre-back in the summer.”
Despite not acquiring a new center-back during the summer transfer window, Konate is currently demonstrating his capability to partner Virgil van Dijk with strength and authority as the season progresses.
While his injury history has been inconsistent, Konate has shown remarkable resilience in these early months and is now an essential part of the starting lineup.
Both Konate and Diaz are enjoying notable resurgences and will likely seek new, more lucrative contracts to reflect their significance in Slot’s plans. For context, Kostas Tsimikas, for example, earns a significantly higher salary.
Why Liverpool Should Ditch Kostas Tsimikas
Liverpool acquired Tsimikas from Greek club Olympiakos in 2020 for a strategic fee of approximately £12 million. This signing aimed to strengthen the existing squad of the recently crowned Premier League champions by adding depth to the left-back position.
Although he has not fully cemented his place in the starting lineup, Tsimikas has contributed significantly during the latter part of Klopp’s management. The 28-year-old has made 90 appearances for Liverpool, providing 17 assists, which equates to an average of 0.19 assists per match.
For comparison, Trent Alexander-Arnold boasts a career assist rate of 0.26 per game for Liverpool, highlighting Tsimikas’s ability as a playmaker.
According to FBref, Tsimikas ranks in the top 2% of full-backs in Europe’s top five leagues over the past year for assists. He also sits in the top 6% for shot-creating actions, the top 7% for passes attempted, and the top 9% for progressive passes per 90 minutes.
Liverpool’s strategy isn’t solely focused on supporting their forwards. While Kostas Tsimikas is a reliable player, he lacks the flair that might be desired. With Andy Robertson reaching the age of 30 and the club reportedly interested in acquiring a new left-back, it would be prudent to consider selling Tsimikas. This would allow Robertson to vie for his position against a potential new signing, thereby enhancing competition within the squad.
A year ago, Tsimikas signed an extension with Liverpool that secures his contract until 2027, and his weekly wage has risen to £75,000. This salary surpasses that of both Luis Diaz and Ibrahima Konate, making him one of the higher earners on the team.
For comparison, Konate, who is in the penultimate year of his current contract, earns £70,000 per week, while Diaz, who joined from Porto in January 2022, is on £55,000 per week and has yet to negotiate a new deal.
While this salary disparity isn’t an immediate concern for Liverpool, it highlights the need for the club to elevate its performance to keep pace with top teams like Manchester City and Arsenal. Tsimikas, despite his new contract, is not irreplaceable. Transfer expert Dean Jones noted last October that the club was evaluating their options, indicating that changes could be on the horizon.
Critics, including reporter James Dodd, labeled Tsimikas as “woeful” last season, suggesting it might be time for Liverpool to explore new avenues. With notable players on lower wages than Tsimikas, the current situation is prompting calls for adjustment within the squad.
in other Liverpool news, Arne Slot Sheds Light on Federico Chiesa Full Debut as Major Injury Update Confirmed
