Liverpool beat Spurs to the signing of Luis Diaz, reportedly leaving Spurs chairman, Daniel Levy, “fuming”.
The Colombian is flying high right now after his substitute cameo proved to be the catalyst for Liverpool against Villarreal.
Coming off the bench, Diaz injected pace, confidence and belief into Liverpool’s play when they looked nervy and unwilling to take the risks required in a Champions League semi-final.
Given his relative lack of experience at the very pinnacle of the game, it’s astonishing how much confidence the 25-year-old plays with and it’s not something that has just been introduced to his play.
Since he’s arrived, he’s taken on the mantle of the most exciting dribbler in the Premier League and he’s now adding the goals and assists to his play that he needs in order to be considered an elite player.
When he first arrived, the no-look passes, flicks and tricks were brilliant to watch but it felt as though he wasn’t taking enough care with the ball to make a significant impact consistently.
Now, after three months with Jurgen Klopp, Diaz is already showing that he can combine his Colombian flair with the end product that makes a difference at the tail end of a season in which Liverpool are competing for the quadruple.
It might have turned out differently if Liverpool hadn’t acted timeously when Spurs started talks with Porto but, as the Athletic clarifies, when Daniel Levy returned with an improved offer for Diaz, it was too late.
Liverpool had already hijacked their deal to sign the winger for £38million, potentially rising to £50million, reportedly leaving the Tottenham chairman “fuming”.
Andy Robertson said after Diaz changed the game against Villarreal that he’s “pretty special” and I think that’s being modest.
“With a full pre-season under his belt I believe Luis will get better, which is scary; but what he has produced in the here and now is pretty special as well,” said Liverpool’s left-back.