Liverpool was handed another reminder of what it is missing this season after allowing Luis Diaz to depart last summer.
The Colombian joined Bayern Munich for a fee of up to €75 million (£66M/$87M) in July, and has made an immediate impact at the Bundesliga champions. Diaz has provided 12 goals and six assists in all competitions, a record that is compounded by Liverpool’s underwhelming campaign.
The likes of Mohamed Salah and Alexander Isak have failed to deliver this term, while Cody Gakpo’s numbers have also dropped from last season. Florian Wirtz, the man in many ways signed to replace Diaz, is without a goal or assist so far in the Premier League.
The ex-Liverpool man was on target once again this weekend as Bayern beat St Pauli 3-1, with Diaz earning the player-of-the-match award following a goal and assist at the Allianz Arena.
With Bayern winning 11 of its 12 Bundesliga matches this term, the 28-year-old looks set to add a German title to those already claimed in England, Portugal and Colombia.
Reports last week indicated that Slot had pushed to keep Diaz during a summer of change at Anfield, with Darwin Nunez also sold and the tragic passing of Diogo Jota.
Luis Diaz
Diaz has been exceptional for Bayern this season
Diaz had spoken to the club about renewing his contract on improved terms, but the two parties were never able to find common ground.
“I'm really very, very happy, and I'm feeling better and more comfortable all the time. The whole team is helping me,” Diaz said earlier this season.
“The dressing room is cohesive, pleasantly calm, and down-to-earth. It's very family-like.
“That, and the trust the coach immediately gave me, were very important for my great start here in Munich.”
Luis Diaz and Darwin Nunez of Liverpool celebrate with Premier League trophy
Diaz left Liverpool as a title winner last summer (Image: Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
Meanwhile, Dietmar Hamann has criticized Liverpool’s decision to allow Diaz to leave the club last summer.
“It wasn't easy to keep Luis Diaz because he asked for a pay rise the summer before last, and they didn't because he had three years left. Now I think it was the same issue,” the 2005 Champions League said in a recent interview.
“He wanted more money because he was on a relatively low wage for the standard he played and the club he played for.
“The club wouldn't agree because he's 28 and had two years left on his contract, so he wanted to leave the club. I'm not sure whether sometimes when people want to leave, you're best to let them go.
“But obviously with a lot of players, or some players, you only find out how important they are when they're not playing. I think he's one of them.
“He was a hard worker. I think this is where they lack at the moment. I'm not sure whether they've got enough players who want to work for their teammate.”