Liverpool sold Luis Diaz to Bayern Munich last summer in a deal that was worth around $88 million (£65 million), while the Reds also lost Trent Alexander-Arnold to Real Madrid
18:37, 30 Apr 2026
Luis Diaz and Trent Alexander-Arnold.
Luis Diaz and Trent Alexander-Arnold.(Image: Getty Images)
Former Liverpool winger Jermaine Pennant has become the latest pundit to urge the Reds to find a replacement for Luis Diaz in the summer, in the week that the Colombian starred in the Champions League semi-finals.
Diaz, who was sold to Bayern Munich last year for a fee that could reach $88 million (£65 million), was excellent for Vincent Kompany's side, though they fell to a 5-4 defeat against PSG. He won a penalty in the first half and scored in the second, impressing alongside Harry Kane and Michael Olise.
That has led to claims in some quarters that Liverpool may regret losing the 29-year-old, though it must be stated that he wanted to leave, had two years left on his contract, and the Reds got a very good fee for a player of his age.
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Rio Ngumoha looks like a real talent for the future, but Liverpool has struggled this term. It has lacked numbers and pace in attack, though Alexander Isak and Hugo Ekitike have been very unfortunate with injuries.
Come the summer, though, adding more depth in the final third — and trying to replace the departing Mohamed Salah — will be a priority, with RB Leipzig ace Yan Diomande among those to be linked.
"What Liverpool should be looking at is a player of the stature of Luis Diaz," Pennant told talkSPORT.
"When we were struggling, we would play him down the middle and he would do a great job and score goals. When you had your No.9 back, you would put him back on the left, so you need another versatile player.
Luis Diaz during the Champions League semi-final between Bayern Munich and PSG.
Luis Diaz during the Champions League semi-final between Bayern Munich and PSG.(Image: S. Mellar/FC Bayern via Getty Images)
"What you don’t want to find a substitute for Hugo Ekitike, and then when the main man comes back, you don’t want to be left with three strikers."
Diaz spent much of his final season at Liverpool playing through the middle. Cody Gakpo, who has improved of late, has also played there at times.
Elsewhere, there is a decision to be made on Curtis Jones, who will only have one year remaining on his Liverpool contract. He drew interest from Inter Milan and Spurs in January, but no progress has been made on a new deal just yet.
"We should keep him just for his versatility — it’s great," Pennant added. "You can put him anywhere in the midfield or at right back. You need that.
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"He’s a local lad, he knows and loves the club and he can help a lot of the players understand certain things as well. Ultimately, the last few games, he’s been phenomenal — one of the top performers.
"So, we should offer him a contract because this squad is dwindling. There are a lot of key players leaving and you need to keep the core. He’s a local lad and we have already lost Trent [Alexander-Arnold].
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"Offer him a contract, and ultimately, it’s up to him if he wants to go somewhere where he can play week in, week out, but all the club can do is offer."
Liverpool.com says: The narrative around Diaz is not quite correct. He has been missed, but the mistake was not replacing him rather than selling him. It was the right time to cash in, especially at that price point.