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Diaz’s return from injury could be key for Liverpool
Liverpool’s season could hardly have gone worse when analysed in comparison to what they achieved in the last campaign and their expectations this year.
Jurgen Klopp has a big rebuild on his hands at Anfield. Thankfully, it seems as though everybody recognises he deserves the chance to oversee that in the summer; there is an undoubted sense of a cycle coming to an end. Roberto Firmino will leave this summer on a free transfer once his contract expires; it is likely Naby Keita will join him.
Firmino’s departure will be another signal of change after Sadio Mane left last year. Arguably the most iconic trio who best embody the success of the Klopp era are Firmino, Mane and Mohamed Salah. Having just one of them left would be little more than symbolic at this point given that the former has gradually been phased out of the side over recent years and other wing/forwards have been signed to help with the transition. That said, Salah’s patchy form and by extension the loss of Mane’s consistency has been one of the biggest factors in Liverpool’s drop off this season.
At this point it is worth noting that said drop off is now not looking nearly as troublesome as it was earlier in the season. Champions League is far from out of the question and now even looks likely after that win over Manchester United on Sunday, whereas it once appeared a pipe dream.
Injuries have been a huge factor, too. Often overlooked, they are a legitimate reason for difficult form. Liverpool are like a well-oiled machine, and when crucial cogs aren’t there, it’ll make a difference. That has been clear, with Virgil van Dijk and Thiago Alcantara being absent and the typically imperious defence and energetic midfield have been severely lacking.
The perception that they haven’t been as badly impacted up front is also easily to disprove, despite winning 7-0 at the weekend. Perhaps they have had more options in attack, with Darwin Nunez and Salah joined in attack by January recruit Cody Gakpo. The Dutchman has only just begun to look at home since joining from PSV Eindhoven; both Diogo Jota and in particular Luis Diaz’s absences have been incredibly noticeable.
Diaz came off in defeat to Arsenal back in October. His pace, direct nature and energy have been sorely missed; his impact when joining in January 2022 helped turn Liverpool’s season around. Two domestic trophies and near misses in the Premier League and Champions League meant going close for a historic quadruple became the headline of their season, but there were difficulties and at one stage a title charge looked unlikely. It was left to a late rally to change the narrative; not for the first time, either.
Klopp said last week that the Colombian could be back soon and expects him to make a real impact.
“We will see, but I am positive about him,” Klopp said. “He has a good chance to have a real impact in like 10, 11 or 12 games maybe. Let’s see how long it exactly takes.
“I think it is estimated maybe warming up next week with the team and stuff like this and then, maybe a week later, being in team training. That would be cool.
“You always have to wait. As I said, today I saw it – a very intense session with a lot of changes of direction and stuff like this. If there is no reaction to that and he can make the next step then I think he is not too far away.”
It is hard to expect any one player to solve problems at a team like Liverpool. But Diaz made such a different last year that is stands to reason that his absence would cause problems like it has this season. His game embodies everything good about Liverpool at their best, and they have looked jaded and tired without him.
They still will look like that compared to their highest level, because a refresh is needed. Like when Van Dijk and Alisson arrived to raise the level a few years ago, another round of major surgery is needed in midfield. Borussia Dortmund midfielder Jude Bellingham has been named as a potential option. The victory on Sunday shouldn’t take away from the deep-rooted need for change.
But whatever happens with the new-look Liverpool, Diaz will be a key part of it. Getting him back into the team is an important next step on the road to recovery.
