The ECHO's end-of-season ratings continue with Luis Diaz, a player who shone in two different positions in the Reds' Premier League title-winning campaign
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 21: Luis Diaz of Liverpool looks on during the Premier League match between Liverpool FC and AFC Bournemouth at Anfield on September 21, 2024 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Simon Stacpoole/Offside/Offside via Getty Images)
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 21: Luis Diaz of Liverpool looks on during the Premier League match between Liverpool FC and AFC Bournemouth at Anfield on September 21, 2024 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Simon Stacpoole/Offside/Offside via Getty Images)
(Image: Simon Stacpoole/Offside/Offside via Getty Images)
With 17 goals across a campaign that ended with the Premier League title, it's a fair claim to say 24/25 was Luis Diaz's best season as a Liverpool player.
The Colombia international fired in the first Anfield goal for Arne Slot in a 2-0 win over Brentford in August but it was the beginning of the following month when he really started to show how important he could be in this bold new era under the Dutchman.
His two goals in a 3-0 dismantling of Manchester United at the start of September helped put the rest of the division on notice as Slot's eventual champions turned in a supreme performance full of maturity and class. The Red Devils were blown away on the day as the tone was set for their own miserable campaign was set early by a rampant Reds.
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Two more goals at home to Bournemouth, in as many minutes, followed for a free-flowing Diaz, who seemed to revel in the freedom afforded to him by his head coach.
With five inside the opening month of the term, there was a very credible argument that the former Porto forward was enjoying his best run since his January 2022 switch.
But having registered more than a third of his season's haul by mid-September, there is another argument to be made for a dip in output from Diaz as the colder months crept in, even more so when you factor in the fireworks of a hat-trick that was plundered against Bayer Leverkusen on Bonfire Night.
That was the first time Slot deployed Diaz in the unfamiliar No.9 role. With Diogo Jota sidelined and the head coach not truly convinced by Darwin Nunez, the Reds boss named Cody Gakpo wide left and Diaz through the middle and the tactical tweak was rewarded handsomely.
"Playing down the centre, early joy when running at visiting defence and pressed tirelessly throughout, and took his three goals with the confidence of a number nine," was the ECHO's match ratings summary of his display as Diaz was awarded a lofty 9 for his efforts.
Slot later claimed Leverkusen defender Jonathan Tah's love of wrestling with target men helped facilitate the idea of Diaz, a more natural winger, leading the line but it was a tactic that stuck.
Diaz was instrumental in helping the Reds turn in their most explosive attacking display of the campaign shortly before Christmas when Tottenham were ripped apart 6-3. Two more goals were added to the tally as the league leaders responded emphatically to Chelsea's goalless draw earlier in the day at Everton.
Another fine performance as the No.9 followed the other side of Christmas Day as West Ham were put to the sword at the Olympic Stadium 5-0 and as doubts continued to grow over Nunez and Jota's long-term suitability as leaders of the line, Diaz stepped into void with aplomb.
The goal at West Ham, on December 29, was Diaz's latest for nearly two months, however. The next time the Colombian found the net was the nervy 2-1 win over Wolves in mid-February as the Reds endured a period that represented something of a sticky patch for them last term, winning just in four across all competitions.
The real nadir of the term came in mid-March, though, when the Reds were second best in the Carabao Cup final to Newcastle United after bowing out of the Champions League to eventual winners Paris Saint-Germain on penalties. Diaz played in both games but was unable to impact things as a frustrating week ended on a real low at Wembley.
If there was any real jeopardy for a Liverpool team who found themselves cantering to the title, late victories over Leicester City and West Ham United were generally seen as the two that convinced even more pessimistic and guarded of supporters the title was on its way to Anfield and Diaz scored in the latter in a 2-1 victory that took them to within six points of the championship with over five weeks left.
After a season spent largely jostling for position with Cody Gakpo for a spot on the left while intermittently leading the line in a more central area, Diaz showcased his value to Liverpool in what was ultimately a wildly successful season.
Diaz has proven he is worthy of the new Anfield contract he craves but more thinking goes into the rewarding of fresh terms in the modern game and while the club are insistent they have no plans to sell their versatile attacker, further interest is expected and that resolve will be tested.
An intriguing summer awaits but the stunning solo goal against Argentina this week was a timely reminder, if it was needed, of his qualities. Liverpool don't want to discard those too easily.
End-of-season rating: 8