Examining the evolution of Luis Diaz at Liverpool

The Colombian winger has shown flashes' of world class ability in combination with some frustrating performances. Which is real and which is not?
Liverpool v Newcastle United - Carabao Cup Final
Liverpool v Newcastle United - Carabao Cup Final | Chris Brunskill/Fantasista/GettyImages

When he arrived a few seasons ago from Porto, there was much excitement among Liverpool fans that he would be the next explosive option on the wing for the Reds.

While he had a strong start to his tenure, there have been times of wastefulness in front of goal. However, his work on the ball and off it usually is unmatched.

Luis Diaz - What A Player Can Do On The Left Wing

Luis Diaz's contribution has been significant for the last few seasons at Liverpool, amassing a good goal record and creating assists to develop the club into a winning machine.

Diaz has played on the left side of attack for Liverpool, cutting onto his right foot and developing a style of play that has won games for Liverpool.

Playing for Colombia, his style of play has been assertive and dominant for the club and continues to play at a good level. 

Bruno Guimaraes, Kieran Trippier, Jacob Murphy, Luis Diaz
Liverpool v Newcastle United - Carabao Cup Final | Sebastian Frej/MB Media/GettyImages

During games this season with Liverpool, he has performed at a high level and won games through sheer determination. 

His style of play has contributed to Liverpool’s success as his hard running style and growth into a more all-around player. 

Arriving in 2022, the player contributed heavily to Porto’s success, originally arriving from Colombia. 

His fee was sizable, but fit into Jurgen Klopp’s pressing style, and has since adapted to Slot’s changes to the team. 

Style of play and fit

Cutting onto his right foot from the left wing, Diaz is skillful enough to beat players 1v1 with regularity and come into central areas while driving forward with the ball.

His link up play is solid, often building off the attacks with the striker and playing combinations with midfielders to develop the attack. 

His development as a player has largely to do with how he can run on the outside and to the byline before playing cutbacks and balls into the area almost at will.

FBL-EUR-C1-LIVERPOOL-REAL MADRID
FBL-EUR-C1-LIVERPOOL-REAL MADRID | OLI SCARFF/GettyImages

Diaz is relied upon to take the ball upfield while maintaining possession before generating opportunities for his fellow players by being adventurous. 

His aggression as a player comes down to his fit into the culture of the squad as a hard nosed player who enjoys playing the way he does. 

He is willing to play for a tackle and enter into challenges for his team, within the system of strong build up play that has led Liverpool to many wins within the Premier League.