Liverpool’s £58M valued star is now one of Liverpool’s best-performing stars according to a set of statistics from this season so far.
The Reds have had a turbulent start to the season as Jurgen Klopp’s men have begun the year in an unfamiliar fashion.
Injuries have played their part, but poor mistakes and lapses in concentration have left many wondering what happened to their beloved team and who, if any, can hold their head high after a poor start.
One man who certainly can do that is Luis Diaz, who has started the season in great form and has a strong case to be Liverpool’s best player so far.
Incredible footballer. Luis Diaz in his Porto days…🔵pic.twitter.com/LfK9o5tvfA
— J (@namasoprop) September 11, 2022
Luis Diaz one of Liverpool’s best performers
According to the stats, no attacker has won more tackles or had more successful dribbles than the Columbian and his industrious nature means that he’s always involved in games – even if all the tricks and attacking play aren’t coming off.
He’s a dream for a manager.
Of course, he’s also registered four goals in eight games including two eye-catching strikes from distance against Crystal Palace and Napoli – he’s unlucky to have not had more.
Against Fulham, on the opening day, he hit the crossbar and had a super strike ruled out for offside and he also was extremely unlucky not to score against Everton as his strike hit the inside of the post after a frenzy in the box.
Given that when Sadio Mane arrived at Liverpool, he was only a year younger than Diaz is today; in terms of his career trajectory, he’s on track to continue improving his game and learn to reach the world-class levels produced by Mane, which almost improved year on year under Klopp.
"That is absolutely SENSATIONAL from Diaz!" 🔥
10-man Liverpool are level and what a stunning goal that is from the Colombian! 😮 pic.twitter.com/PtOz7v6tdO
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) August 15, 2022
Liverpool’s new permanent left winger
Mane held the role for so long and, naturally, it will take time for someone to replicate what he did for this Liverpool side. But the early signs are extremely promising.
At 25, he’s at a perfect age to develop and learn before hitting his peak years and his composure and finishing are things he will develop over time.
Furthermore, it’s fair to say he was overawed by the occasion of the Champions League final, as Dani Carvajal rolled back the years to comfortably deal with Diaz – who was dragged off in the 65th minute after not influencing the game at all.
Situations like that are what he’ll have to learn to deal with – but it also happened to Mane too in his early days at Liverpool but he will have learned a lot from that experience.
His deal runs out in 2027 and it’s likely he will stay at the club for at least the next few years – it will also take a huge fee to secure his services if a top club does come in for him in the future.
However, I expect him to be a Liverpool star for at least the next three seasons and maybe even beyond.
