Roberto Firmino was loved by Liverpool's wingers during his time at the club
Roberto Firmino was loved by Liverpool's wingers during his time at the club
Let’s get one thing clear - Luis Diaz has been one of Liverpool’s bright sparks for a number of seasons, including this one. There is no suggestion that he is struggling or waning in form.
Nine goals and three assists in 21 matches is not bad going. But most match-goers will agree that there is perhaps another level to the ever-working Diaz that remains untapped.
The Colombian is currently competing for game time on the left flank with Cody Gakpo, who himself has reached another level under Arne Slot. The Dutchman is looking far more threatening on the left than he ever did as a central striker and is already halfway to last season’s goal tally of 16.
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There seems little appetite to use Gakpo as a main forward again, or at least not out of choice. Slot has improved almost every player within the Liverpool squad, including Diaz.
He netted a hat-trick when he started the 4-0 thumping of Bayer Leverkusen as the main striker. He has not been fielded there since but there is a sense that the 27-year-old is now an option in the role.
In a way, he has taken over the mantle from Gakpo in that regard. While the new Liverpool head coach has managed to find new leases of life in many areas, there is perhaps one question he has yet to fully answer.
Federico Chiesa was always going to be a calculated risk given his injury history of recent years but either way, Slot’s new recruit has only played three games so far. That is hardly a judgement of indictment given the Italian has only been at the club a matter of months.
But it does leave the question of transfer acumen unanswered, with new goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili not set to arrive until next summer. January could be the time that more light is shed on recruitment capabilities.
Fenway Sports Group CEO Michael Edwards and Liverpool sporting director Richard Hughes are thought to be very much in the saddle when it comes to hunting for players, though Slot will still have a significant sway. One name that has recently been linked with a summer switch to Anfield is Joao Pedro.
The Brighton & Hove Albion striker is known for leading the line but is frequently used as either a supporting striker or attacking midfielder - think Roberto Firmino, a deep-lying nine. Whether he has the passing and stylish touch of the Brazilian will only become apparent in time, the attacker not long turning 23-years-old.
His four goals in nine matches so far this season - after 20 in 40 games last - has apparently caught the attention of Liverpool chiefs. Attaining a 79.6 per cent passing completion ratio this term is not to be snuffed at for a striker, either.
In fact, the Brazil international has already matched his assist tally of last season - three. There is a lot to like about Pedro.
What’s more, his versatility to dip lower as the main striker could encourage Liverpool wingers to be more direct in their attacking - think Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah during the Jurgen Klopp era. Maybe this is merely red-tinted romanticism.
But Pedro would offer something slightly different to both first-choice Diogo Jota and back-up Darwin Nunez. For example, Pedro’s ability to gallop and spring clear is an appetising asset. His link-up play would allow the likes of Diaz more licence to come inwardly and be more direct, too.
Diaz has yet to score more than 13 goals in a single season at Liverpool. With the wide man on nine already, that benchmark looks set to be broken this term.
Yet, if he can reach 20, that would mark a significant milestone in his career. He might only do that, though, if he is allowed to come in more centrally from the flank and indeed be more direct. Pedro could provide the provision for him to do just that.