Liverpool legend John Barnes claimed that Luis Diaz has often proved an important participant to Arne Slot’s crew this season, regardless of the goalscoring prowess of Mohamed Salah.
The Colombian has primarily operated from his pure left-wing spot for Liverpool this season, although every so often Slot has most popular utilizing him centrally – most notably to nice impact in opposition to Manchester Metropolis .
However whereas his 9 targets and two assists do not fairly match Salah’s output, Diaz’s smarts haven’t gone unnoticed amongst his left-wing predecessors at Anfield.
Mohamed Salah the higher goalscorer, however Luis Diaz is extra necessary for Liverpool
Diaz celebrates within the Premier League at Anfield (Picture credit score: Getty Pictures)
“He performs within the place I did, however he’s not somebody who’ll go down the road and put in a cross on his left foot for somebody to attain like I did,” Liverpool legend John Barnes advised FFT in November, when talking concerning the significance Diaz has on the crew. “If I used to be enjoying at the moment, I’d be enjoying on the precise, coming in to attain targets, not creating for others, as a result of that’s the way in which fashionable soccer is.
“Diaz is a really individualistic participant, an excellent dribbler – he doesn’t create loads for others, however he’s not within the crew to do this, he’s there to attain targets or come infield and make passes.
Barnes, enjoying for Liverpool in 1989, thinks Diaz is extra harmful than Salah (Picture credit score: Getty Pictures)
“He’s finished higher than I anticipated – it’s onerous coming from Portugal, however he’s been on fireplace. The followers love him as a result of he’s fast, skilful and energetic, and he all the time offers 100 per cent out and in of possession. He’s an actual Liverpool kind of participant. Mo Salah will get a whole lot of targets, however generally dips out and in of video games. Diaz has been our most harmful man for the total 90 minutes, each time I’ve seen him play.”
And Barnes would know, having spent a decade at Liverpool usually upstaging the primary man within the crew. Whether or not it was Ian Rush and Kenny Dalglish in the beginning of his Anfield profession or Robbie Fowler in direction of the top, Barnes’ silky left foot usually proved extra necessary than the targets the aforementioned stars managed – a lot in the identical manner, he suggests, Diaz and Salah dovetail at Liverpool now.
Whether or not different Liverpool followers agree with Barnes or not is one other matter, however Diaz’s significance to the Reds can’t be understated.
His depth each on and off the ball is crucial to their attacking output and defensive solidity, whereas consistency has change into a way more distinguished function in Diaz’s sport, too.
