Liverpool’s 20th top flight title celebrations are finally starting to wind down, allowing all involved the time to be reflective off of the back of this successful season. A common theme for most folks when thinking back on the campaign is just how unexpected this fairytale ending was for the Reds.
Most fans wouldn’t argue this point given the scale of panic and worry due to the lack of incomings during Arne Slot’s first transfer window. In fact, if one were to pay attention solely to the words spilled on message boards and across social media, you wouldn’t be faulted with thinking that the Liverpool fanbase wouldn’t have been surprised with fighting it out for one of the European spots.
As it turns out, some of that talk made its way to the players. Luis Díaz, when speaking with the official site, referenced the lack of belief in the lead-up to the campaign.
“I think not many believed in us [at the beginning of the season]. We showed what we were about day in, day out, right from the start of the season. We started getting results and obviously moving forward. We learned to believe in what we had, in what the manager asked of us and the team is full of quality, great players and that makes things a little easier. And then the results help, 100 per cent. You then have more motivation, you work harder and that’s what I think happened.”
After having such a successful season, it’s no surprise that speculation might pop up regarding his future. For his part, the Colombian national seems to feel quite settled.
“I feel I’m going through a really good period. I’m really happy to be here, to be part of this great institution, this great club and to have great teammates around me. From the moment I arrived, I felt great pride. I always tried to work hard for this, and to see that nowadays things are working out for me fills me with pride and I’m really happy because that’s what I work for.”
Anything can happen, of course, and Barcelona have long been admirers of the forward. But given that Díaz has articulated his love for the club, I think fans can at least feel bit more relaxed.