Luis Diaz leaves Liverpool as a determine beloved by supporters however a participant maybe underrated as a result of high quality of his competitors.
Liverpool’s success over the past seven years, led to by Jurgen Klopp and continued by Arne Slot, has meant our notion of high quality has been warped.
If Diaz had performed for Liverpool in the course of the 15 years previous to Klopp’s arrival, he would have been deemed one of many star sights, up there with the signings of Luis Suarez, Fernando Torres and Philippe Coutinho.
Nonetheless, such was the calibre of the squad he joined in 2022, he by no means fairly grew into the primary man he threatened to grow to be early in his Anfield profession.
That isn’t to decrease his achievements, in fact. The Colombian was an integral determine in every of his 4 trophy triumphs and will probably be missed by the Kop, who immediately took to his sensible mixture of tenacity and talent.
Signed for: £43 million from Porto
Three months previous to Diaz signing for Liverpool, he had his first style of Anfield as Porto travelled to Merseyside within the Champions League.
Whereas the night time led to defeat for the winger because the Reds gained 2-0, Diaz’s urge for food for the environment had been whetted in entrance of a set of followers who would at some point unabatedly sing his title.
That season, the Reds have been good, nevertheless it wasn’t till after Christmas that Liverpool actually turned the screw, with Klopp’s new Colombian a key think about pushing the workforce in the direction of a quadruple.
Immediately, Diaz made a distinction, typically changing Sadio Mane on the Senegalese moved central and Roberto Firmino started to lose his place within the beginning XI.
What stood out from the off was Diaz’s enthusiasm for the sport; the winger drove on the opposition with the identical ferocity, whether or not it’s within the first or final minute.
Diaz wasn’t simply concerning the tips and flicks, although. His relentless urgent and tenacity to win the ball made him a continuing hazard, out and in of possession.
It rapidly grew to become obvious that Liverpool had pulled off a coup in beating Tottenham to Diaz’s signature. Life past Salah, Mane and Firmino instantly grew to become palatable.
A participant for the massive event
One other string to Diaz’s bow was his means to step up in his large video games.
The Colombian’s lack of consistency was finally what held him again from being among the many highest gamers on this planet.
Nonetheless, when occasions have been robust, Diaz’s stage virtually all the time rose. Throughout cup finals and end-of-season nail-biters, he can be the person to take accountability and carry the ball upfield to offer his teammates some valuable moments of aid.
“In a last, you neglect fatigue. You play, you run and also you combat,” Diaz mentioned.
Earlier than he had even moved out of the Titanic Lodge, Diaz had gained his first piece of silverware, producing an thrilling show that helped Liverpool to their 2022 League Cup triumph.
His efficiency within the 2024 League Cup last, in addition to the 2022 FA Cup, was additionally exemplary, as he exhibited a stage of health that allowed him to offer a risk when others have been wilting below strain.
The 2024 Wembley win, surrounded by youth workforce gamers, noticed Diaz stand as much as be counted.
He performed all 120 minutes and proved himself as a pacesetter, creating extra possibilities and finishing extra dribbles than anybody else on the pitch, offering Liverpool with a lifeline and sticking level within the opposition half.
‘He’s from Barrancas and he performs for Liverpool’
Diaz’s profession in soccer has been one he has needed to work extraordinarily arduous for.
Born in Barrancas, the No. 7 comes from the impoverished La Guajira area of Colombia and is a member of the indigenous Wayuu tribe.
Earlier than changing into a figurehead for his nationwide workforce, he rose to the highest the arduous manner, not even signing for knowledgeable membership till he was 18 years outdated.
“It (my self-belief) comes from my roots. I all the time performed soccer in my city, in my homeland,” Diaz advised UEFA.
“They’re my traits, they’ve instilled in me a number of issues that I’ve at present and now I’ve grown rather more. That’s my recreation.
“Every recreation is a revenge for all the time going out to search for extra, I do know what it prices and I’ve to reap the benefits of each second, each minute I’ve.”
Diaz has by no means taken Liverpool with no consideration, a part of the explanation why supporters have grown such affection for the difficult winger.
The Kop’s well-known chant for the No. 7 refers to Diaz’s origins, whereas asserting its pleasure that we will name him considered one of our personal.
When his dad and mom have been kidnapped by a guerrilla group in late 2023, the bond between Diaz and supporters solely grew to become stronger as followers and his teammates supplied their help.
Fortunately, his household have been reunited and Diaz Sr grew to become a daily in away ends, celebrating fervently amongst travelling supporters.
The proper on-field ending
Sadly, Diaz’s knee damage in October 2022 slowed his growth and took him a very long time to get better from.
Nonetheless, we lastly noticed one of the best of the Colombian once more as Slot’s facet gained the Premier League, with Diaz taking part in 50 occasions and scoring 17 targets throughout all competitions in his last marketing campaign.
At 28 years outdated, it could appear early for Diaz to depart for the Bundesliga.
Nonetheless, the fact is that he’ll really feel the necessity to benefit from the most important wage alternative in his profession. By the point his subsequent contract comes round, he will probably be in his early thirties and previous his peak.
We are saying goodbye to Diaz with a heavy coronary heart however realizing, on the similar time, that Liverpool will put the funds to good use.
He’s Luis Diaz and he could also be from Barrancas, however he’ll all the time have a house on Merseyside.
