Liverpool have a plethora of attacking riches in the mean time, with Mohamed Salah, Diogo Jota, Darwin Nunez, Cody Gakpo and Luis Diaz all distinctive gamers in their very own proper.
The latter of that quintet, although, needed to be compelled by team-mates early in his profession to really show that expertise, with Luis Diaz scared to make errors. He confirmed glimpses of the power he had whereas taking part in for Porto , previous to his transfer to Liverpool , however not often sufficient.
Portugal worldwide Danilo Pereira performed with Diaz at Porto, and highlights how the Colombian may skip previous opponents with relative ease.
Liverpool star Luis Diaz needed to study to be assured
Diaz has developed into an distinctive ahead for Liverpool (Picture credit score: Getty Pictures)
“What at all times struck me most about Luis was his dribbling, his potential to vary path, his ball management and approach,” Danilo tells FourFourTwo . “He dribbles like nobody else – that’s his biggest high quality. Gamers who’re very quick usually mess up after they’re dribbling at excessive pace. He doesn’t – the pace with which he executes his strikes is way above common.”
Diaz’s Champions League debut got here at Manchester Metropolis in October 2020. Simply 14 minutes in, the winger picked up the ball on the left, dribbled throughout the pitch then fired an angled shot previous Ederson for a trademark solo aim.
He helped Porto to achieve the Champions League quarter-finals that season – after scoring six league objectives in his first two campaigns with the membership, although, the sensation endured that he was able to extra.
Diaz in motion for Porto (Picture credit score: PA)
“He was a bit afraid to shoot, at all times desirous to move,” Danilo provides. “I instructed him, ‘Look, you’re a participant who has to resolve video games – it’s important to take dangers, mate. You may’t at all times play easy, afraid of constructing errors’.
“He stated, ‘I’m scared, I don’t know what folks will say if I shoot’. I instructed him, ‘Effectively, should you shoot and it’s a aim, what are they going to say? They’ll all have a good time with you!’ After that, he began taking pictures extra. As a result of he dribbles in a short time, that opens up house for pictures. It was one thing he improved so much as he gained confidence. I feel he already had the power – he didn’t use it as a result of he was afraid.”
Diaz took cost of video games even when issues weren’t going his means
There have been events when he did present what he was able to, nonetheless, together with his settling in Portugal over time finally serving to him to grow to be a key determine within the Porto dressing room.
“One in all his first video games was in opposition to Benfica – I keep in mind pondering, ‘This man doesn’t realise who he’s taking part in in opposition to, how necessary this sport is’,” the then-club captain Danilo tells FFT . “In opposition to our rivals, he confirmed loads of confidence, making an attempt his methods. You can see the standard he had, and his potential to enhance.”
Porto gained 2-0 on the Estadio da Luz.
“It didn’t take him lengthy to combine into the group, he shortly felt comfy and confirmed his character. I keep in mind moments when everybody was critical within the dressing room, he’d immediately crack a joke and everybody would snicker. I don’t suppose I ever noticed him upset about something, he took all of it in his stride. Generally he’d begin dancing in the midst of the altering room with out anybody anticipating it – he’d activate the music and simply begin on his personal. Everybody appreciated him.
“He at all times skilled very nicely,” Danilo explains. “His humility propelled him to better heights. He’s a group participant who tries to assist everybody. Particular gamers aren’t particular due to how they play, however due to their character and the way they drive the group ahead, particularly when issues aren’t going nicely. With Luis, when issues are going badly, he asks for the ball, takes cost of the sport and tries to kind it out.”
