In a candid acknowledgment, Arne Slot has expressed that Liverpool indeed feels the absence of Luis Diaz; however, he firmly believes that the decision to part ways with the winger was justified.
This season, Liverpool has faced significant challenges on the left wing. Cody Gakpo's performances have notably dipped compared to last season, and the young talent Rio Ngumoha has seen limited playing time, leaving the team somewhat vulnerable in that position.
On the other hand, since his transfer to Bayern Munich for £65.5 million last summer—after Liverpool couldn't meet his salary demands—Diaz has been thriving. He recently achieved an impressive milestone by scoring his first hat-trick for Bayern during a match where they convincingly defeated Hoffenheim 5-1, with Harry Kane contributing two goals from penalties.
Arne Slot, speaking to various media outlets including the Liverpool Echo, acknowledged that Liverpool misses Diaz but emphasized that selling him was not a mistake. "You always miss good football players," Slot remarked, highlighting Diaz's importance to the team last season. He noted, however, that he wasn’t the sole contributor to the team's success and pointed out that Liverpool has brought in other capable players to fill those gaps.
Slot posed an interesting question: had Alexander Isak been fit, would there still be a discussion about Diaz’s impact? This raises a thought-provoking point, as a fully operational Isak could potentially have alleviated some of the pressure on the left wing, allowing either himself or Hugo Ekitike to play in a more dynamic role than what Gakpo has managed this season.
Despite these thoughts, Slot didn't seem to contest the sale of Diaz. Last season, Diaz was on a weekly wage of approximately £140,000, while his new contract at Bayern reportedly offers him around £230,000 per week, according to Bild. Though Liverpool might have considered matching that figure while Diaz was at his peak, his contract runs until 2029, at which point he will be 32 and likely past his prime.
"Diaz exemplifies the operational philosophy of this club," Slot added, reflecting on the sustainability model that Liverpool adheres to.
Currently, Diaz has made an impressive impact at Bayern, netting 28 goals and providing 14 assists in 30 matches across competitions, helping his team maintain a six-point lead in the Bundesliga standings.
It's essential to consider the comparative strength between the Premier League and the Bundesliga when debating whether Liverpool should have retained Diaz. Would keeping the Colombian have improved Liverpool's standing in the league? Perhaps. But can it be said that he alone could have salvaged the team from the decline experienced following their title-winning season? Unlikely.
What are your thoughts? Do you agree with Slot’s perspective on Diaz’s departure? Could Liverpool have benefitted more from keeping him? Join the conversation in the comments!
