5 goals in 5 matches, Luiz Diaz has finally found his scoring touch

Luiz Diaz did it again, scoring twice this weekend against AFC Bournemouth in the first half and helping Liverpool to grasp three points. The Liverpool winger just can’t stop scoring so far in the Premier League season.

Last PL season, Diaz only scored eight goals in an overall 37 appearances despite being one of the major front liners in the squad.

With only a 34% rate of shots on target and 13 big chances missed, the 27-year-old Colombia International was questioned and pigeonholed as an unproductive striker. 

With five goals in five league matches this season, he seems to be revived. 

Two Goals Against AFC Bournemouth Showcased Luiz Diaz’s Master Class

In the last Champions League fixture against AC Milan, Liverpool’s manager Arne Slot experimented with his new idea of using Cody Gakpo to replace Diaz.

Back to the league, Diaz’s momentum didn’t fade due to losing the starting chance. Instead, he endeavored to secure his spot in the 3-0 swallowing win over Bournemouth.

In the 21st minute, Andrew Robertson intended to start the attack from Diaz on the left side. While clashing up with three defenders pouring towards him, Diaz skipped past them away with his outstanding dribble skills and speed and strode to the left post.

Though his later shot was blocked by the goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga, Diaz showed how dangerous he would be on the day.

As Bournemouth marked him carelessly, Diaz responded with ruthless efficiency. Just four minutes later, he landed the ball perfectly from Ibrahima Konate’s long delivery from the back, rocketing it to the left side of the net with one touch while Arrizabalaga had come forward out of the box.

After just one minute, Liverpool made a counterattack when they regained possession. With Trent Alexander-Arnold driving toward the center of the box, Lucho also cut in preparatorily for a chance.

As we expected, the former chose to deliver the ball to Diaz who was not offsides, and Diaz poked it in through Arrizabalaga’s coverage.

Comparison to Diaz’s 2023-24 season

After obtaining five Premier League goals in the pocket, Diaz ranks second in goals scored behind Manchester City’s Erling Haaland.

Under Slot, he became more effective in nailing the ball to the net, with only three goals shy of succeeding in the overall league goals he tallied last season. 

So far this season, Diaz had made 13 shots, eight of which were recorded on-target (62% shooting accuracy). He exposed no shortcut of offense, sharing those five goals with his right (2), left foot (2) and head (1). He also enhanced his xG to 0.63 per 90 minutes, while he generated 0.41 last season.

As Mohamed Salah is stepping down from the frontline and taking more responsibility for facilitating attacks, Diaz is expected to be an emerging No.1 scorer to open fire for the Reds.

I believe Slot would attach more importance to him especially considering the club playing different battlefields and facing a harsh schedule. Diaz should be someone to rely on.