Jordan Chamberlain
Fan writer

Image source, Getty Images

Luis Diaz scored again for Colombia on international duty to extend his sublime start to the season.

Over the summer, there were many Liverpool fans happy to consider selling Diaz in order to replace him with Newcastle United forward Anthony Gordon.

But Diaz is showcasing genuinely world-class ability at both creating and finishing chances. It is a real bit of luck no club came in for him as it was looking like Liverpool may well have sold the dazzling winger.

Against Peru in Colombia’s first World Cup qualifier of the international break, Diaz snuck in at the back post to score with his head. It was the kind of unflashy-but-clinical poacher’s goal that will bolster his end product massively.

Last season under Jurgen Klopp, Diaz toiled, ran and fought, but often could not quite deliver in decisive moments. His poor finishing, and that of Darwin Nunez and others in the run-in, contributed to the title charge failing.

This term, though, Diaz is on fire – and we should remember that he has gone through a huge amount in the past two years that is likely to have contributed to his mixed form.

Not only did he suffer a horrendous injury in 2022-23 that meant he missed most of the campaign – last season, his parents were kidnapped.

Those two things will have taken time to recover physically and emotionally from.

But under Arne Slot, Diaz looks fresh, rested and tactically perfect for the new manager’s system.

He hugs the lines and dribbles, but also cuts inside and gets into the box when the time is right.

That is why he has got three goals and an assist for Liverpool already, and why an improved contract is rumoured to be on the way.

He deserves it, too.

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