Luis Diaz hits the bottom working in bid to lastly reply Liverpool query

For Arne Slot, the landmark got here in a primary, for a few his new fees, in centuries. As Slot marked his maiden competitive game at Anfield with a win, Virgil van Dijk introduced up 100 league appearances for Liverpool at residence. Solely two have led to defeat and 82 in victory. “No matter occurs sooner or later, Anfield is a particular place in my coronary heart,” stated the defender, whose contract expires in the summer.

For Luis Diaz, the milestone got here within the type of a a centesimal recreation anyplace for Liverpool. It was reached in model: a aim rifled in from a devastating counter-attack, a deft move releasing Mohamed Salah to attain the second, a man-of-the-match show. The Colombian was electrical; it feels he has been for a lot of of these 100 matches.

The aim was his twenty fifth, a ratio of 1 each 4 video games. Or roughly one each three begins, as he has begun 77 of these appearances.

Whichever means it’s assessed, it feels respectable somewhat than exceptional for a Liverpool winger. It comes within the context of his predecessor’s somewhat extra prolific return. Sadio Mane scored 120 objectives in 269 video games, a median of virtually one each two; as he ended up ending second within the Ballon d’Or vote, it’s robust ask to emulate Mane. If his personal century – of objectives – mirrored the techniques of Jurgen Klopp, the place the wingers had been extra superior than the striker, that shifted after Darwin Nunez’s signing and, at this embryonic stage of Slot’s reign, it stays to be seen exactly what must be anticipated of his left winger.

However Diaz scored in opposition to Brentford and had struck twice in an unofficial look at Anfield, the pre-season win over Sevilla. Is it an indication he shall be stronger below Slot? One interpretation is that that is simply an annual swift begin: he has scored Liverpool’s opening aim at Anfield in three consecutive campaigns.

And for a lot of that point, it feels as if Liverpool have been ready for Diaz to grow to be an actual goalscorer. “He is aware of as a striker, a winger, he wants to attain and help,” stated Alexis Mac Allister, serving as Diaz’s interpreter in a post-match interview. There are questions if he has been ruthless sufficient. “It’s about ensuring these gamers like Lucho, Mo, Cody [Gakpo], Darwin, Diogo [Jota], all of the attackers, we deliver them as a lot as we will in good positions after which they will present their high quality,” stated Slot. Over his Liverpool profession, Diaz averages fewer photographs per 90 minutes than Nunez and Salah, although they’re shotaholics, however greater than many a ahead. However his probability conversion fee – 10.3 per cent within the Premier League – is underwhelming.

At instances, Diaz has offered every little thing however the aim. After his arrival in January 2022, the Colombian’s preliminary affect was so startling that Mane ended his Liverpool profession as a centre-forward. But there was one thing symbolic in one in every of his greatest early video games: Diaz was man of the match within the 2022 FA Cup ultimate but it surely completed 0-0.

When he started the 2022-23 season in scintillating type, it got here with the sense he was about to grow to be extra prolific. He scored 4 objectives in his opening eight video games. After harm intervened, nevertheless, his eventual return was 5 in 21. Final season, there was a extra traumatic interruption when his father was kidnapped. His general tally, although, was 13 in 51 video games, a much less spectacular eight in 37 within the Premier League.

And there appeared the chance that he wouldn’t deliver up the century; or that if he did, it could be when demoted to a substitute. Liverpool’s summer season curiosity in Anthony Gordon was each intriguing and instructive. There have been strategies Barcelona could beckon for Diaz; but Barcelona covet many a participant they can not afford so it scarcely steered a windfall for Liverpool’s savvy merchants. Gordon is a Liverpudlian, a Liverpool fan and youthful. But would he have been an improve? Regardless of his glorious season for Newcastle final yr, that felt doubtful, given Diaz’s efficiency degree over his time at Anfield.

In the meantime, Cody Gakpo’s glorious Euro 2024 prompted strategies he could be Slot’s most popular left winger, one with the potential to supply extra objectives. For now, Diaz’s type would recommend he has a transparent benefit. It could swimsuit him that the remainder of Liverpool’s entrance three are Jota, their greatest finisher, and Salah, invariably their high scorer. It means there’s much less reliance on the left winger to attain.

However his ratio of a aim each 4 video games is sort of similar to these of Luis Garcia, a scorer of nice objectives however not an ideal goalscorer, and Dirk Kuyt, a self-sacrificial paragon of selfless work. In a ahead who may electrify Anfield and one other who may run all day, there are widespread denominators. However, sensible as Diaz could be in different respects, Liverpool could wish to see a bit of extra of Mane in him.