Liverpool enjoyed a successful domestic season as they won the league for the 20th time and the second time in five years.
Arne Slot’s side only suffered two defeats in 34 games, showing incredible consistency as they won the Premier League with four games to spare.
With the season now over, Liverpool have already started preparing for the new season, hoping to build on their success.
The signing of Jeremie Frimpong was announced by Liverpool on Friday. They are also in talks with Bournemouth left-back Milos Kerkez, while the Reds are favourites to land Florian Wirtz in a record-breaking deal.
In terms of outgoings, they have already lost Trent Alexander-Arnold to Real Madrid for £8.5m and they now face interest in other key players including Luis Diaz.
Photo by Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images
Photo by Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images
Saudi giants Al-Nassr make Liverpool’s Luis Diaz their top target
Luis Diaz is reportedly Al Nassr’s top summer target, with the Saudi club preparing a £72m bid, according to reputable journalist, Ben Jacobs. According to him, such an offer might tempt Liverpool to sell him.
Barcelona are also interested in Diaz, but it remains to be seen whether they can afford to fund the deal.
Should Diaz leave, Jacobs believes Liverpool are expected to pursue a big replacement, with Anthony Gordon already on their radar. Speaking on talkSPORT, Jacobs said: “Al Nassr want Luis Diaz. They will look at Garnacho if they don’t get Diaz but my understanding is that Diaz is the top target.
“The advantage for Liverpool is they will have plenty of money to spend (if sold to Saudi). So if Diaz goes, I would expect a big replacement. We know they like Anthony Gordon, for example. Diaz to Al-Nassr is a concrete possibility.
“Diaz posted a message that was basically just an end-of-season thank you. But some Liverpool fans maybe felt that there was an element of goodbye reading between the lines.
“Al-Nassr want Luis Diaz. He’s their top target. They believe €85m (£72m) will be good enough. And I do think at that number Liverpool might be tempted to sell. So that’s one to watch.
“But Barcelona and Diaz as well. So he’s going to have a big choice to make if Barcelona can find a way to fund it. But obviously Liverpool would prefer if they’re going to sell to sell to Al-Nassr because that’s the only way they’re going to get this number of €85m (£72m).”
Luis Diaz has proven to be a great signing for Liverpool
Diaz joined Liverpool from Porto in January 2022 for £37m and made an immediate impact, helping the club win the FA Cup and the League Cup, while also reaching the Champions League final in his debut season with the Reds.
Since joining, he has made 148 appearances for the club, scoring 41 goals and assisting 23 across all competitions.
This past season was his personal best at Anfield, scoring 17 goals and assisting eight in 50 games across all competitions.
Diaz has established himself as a fan favourite at the club with his exciting offensive football and work rate. Fans will not like him to be sold unless there is an apt replacement lined up.
Comparing Luis Diaz with Newcastle star Anthony Gordon
Gordon has been an influential player for Eddie Howe’s Newcastle team since his move from Everton in 2023.
He has made 106 appearances for the club since, scoring 22 and assisting 23 across all competitions. This season, he made 42 appearances, scoring nine goals and assisted seven.
Comparing Diaz to Gordon, the Colombian leads in most key metrics from this past season.
Stat Luis Diaz Anthony Gordon
Games Played 50 42
Goals 17 9
Assists 8 7
Non-Penalty xG per 90 0.45 0.24
xA (Expected Assists) per 90 0.17 0.19
Shots per 90 2.66 2.11
Shots on Target % 42.3% 28.1%
Key Passes per 90 2.10 1.89
Shot-Creating Actions per 90 4.39 3.74
Goal-Creating Actions per 90 0.60 0.44
Comparing Luis Diaz vs Anthony Gordon – key stats vs Fbref
He boasts a higher non-penalty expected goals per 90 (0.45 vs. 0.24) and better shooting stats, with 42.3% shots on target and 2.66 shots per 90 versus Gordon’s 28.1% and 2.11.
Gordon slightly outperforms Diaz in expected assists per 90 (0.19 vs. 0.17), but Díaz has more key passes (2.10 vs. 1.89) and higher shot-creating (4.39 vs. 3.74) and goal-creating actions (0.60 vs. 0.44).