Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher says he has been surprised by the level that Luis Diaz has reached this season, with the Colombian winger having his most prolific campaign in front of goal under Arne Slot.
Diaz, 27, has scored 16 goals in all competitions so far this season. Signed for an initial $49 million (£37 million) from FC Porto in 2022, Diaz has been linked with an exit and Liverpool tried to sign Anthony Gordon, who plays in a similar position, from Newcastle United last summer.
Since then, though, Diaz has impressed in a couple of different roles under Slot. And Carragher believes that he has done well enough that a transfer away from Anfield in the next couple of months should not be on the table.
“I think he’s been one of the best left wingers in the Premier League this season,” Carragher told Sky Sports.
“I don’t think he’s quite Sadio Mane, so, in Liverpool supporters’ eyes, we haven’t quite replaced, or we haven’t got our Mane if you like. But how many of them are there about?
“If I’m being honest, I think for the majority of this season, up until Christmas, I was thinking you sell Luis Diaz in the summer.
(Image: Carl Recine/Getty Images)
“But I think the way he’s played and the way Liverpool’s front line might change — and with the fact he can now play through the middle in the manager’s eyes — I think he’s going to stay and it might be other players who move on in the front line other than Luis Diaz.”
There are question marks over the future of Darwin Nunez, with both the Uruguayan and Diaz being admired in Saudi Arabia. Diogo Jota, meanwhile, has struggled with injuries and consistency.
Mohamed Salah has signed a new contract that will keep him at Liverpool until 2027, and Cody Gakpo has impressed, reaching new levels with his productivity too.
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Nevertheless, some changes in the Reds’ forward line could make the Premier League’s top scorers even more prolific in Slot’s second campaign at the helm.
Liverpool.com says: If a huge offer was placed on the table for Diaz, Liverpool could upgrade. If not, though, there are plenty of other things to be done.
The first priority should be number nine and left-back. After that, Liverpool might also need a right-back to replace Trent Alexander-Arnold, a midfielder to help ease the load on Ryan Gravenberch, and another forward.
