Liverpool do not wish to promote Luis Diaz this summer time, however they could need to. Retaining a participant on the books whose coronary heart is ready elsewhere is an ill-fated transfer, and the Colombian needs to go away Anfield.
You possibly can see his case. Aged 28, Diaz is without doubt one of the best wingers within the recreation, however he earns a relatively modest wage at Liverpool and has entered the second-to-last yr of his contract.
Diaz needs a pay rise, however Liverpool aren’t inclined to provide him one, as a substitute keen to see out his contract.
Rank | Participant | Gross pay per week | Gross pay per yr |
|---|---|---|---|
1 | Mohamed Salah | £400,000 | £20,800,000 |
2 | Virgil Van Dijk | £350,000 | £18,200,000 |
3 | Florian Wirtz | £195,000 | £10,140,000 |
4 | Andrew Robertson | £160,000 | £8,320,000 |
=5 | Alexis Mac Allister | £150,000 | £7,800,000 |
=5 | Alisson | £150,000 | £7,800,000 |
=5 | Ryan Gravenberch | £150,000 | £7,800,000 |
=5 | Federico Chiesa | £150,000 | £7,800,000 |
16* | Luis Diaz | £55,000 | £2,860,000 |
Information by way of Capology | |||
He was an important a part of final season’s success. Diaz scored 17 targets and equipped eight assists throughout all competitions for Liverpool, his finest return for the membership.
His electrical tempo, tenacious struggle and flexibility proved excellent for Arne Slot because the Dutch coach led the Reds to the Premier League title.
However Bayern Munich are persistent of their bid to signal the Colombian winger, having already seen a £58.5m bid knocked again this summer time.
Nonetheless, Sky Germany verify that the Bundesliga champions proceed to push, and with Liverpool set to signal a brand new striker, maybe his sale for a mammoth charge would not be such a nasty factor in the long term.
The newest on Hugo Ekitike to Liverpool
Eintracht Frankfurt’s Hugo Ekitike has been one of many extra coveted names in the marketplace this summer time. Manchester United and Newcastle United have each proven an curiosity, however it’s the Reds who will doubtless prevail, the Frenchman submitting a switch request on Thursday to seal a cope with the Anfield aspect.
Valued at €100m (£85m) Ekitike will value a fairly penny, all proper, however he is value it, already regarded “probably the greatest strikers on the market” by analyst Ben Mattinson.
Whereas Newcastle United’s Alexander Isak has been sporting director Richard Hughes’ first alternative, the Magpies have rejected Liverpool’s advances, so the Reds have stolen their high goal as a substitute.
He is not so good as Isak, however the 23-year-old does have sky-high potential, the real probability to make headway over numerous years at Liverpool and attain that pedestal.
Whereas Diaz spent a justifiable share of time as a makeshift striker in 2024/25, he’s at his core a left-sided ahead. With Darwin Nunez supposedly off as properly, Liverpool may have to signal a winger to go alongside Ekitike.
Liverpool line up Luis Diaz inheritor
In response to talkSPORT’s Alex Criminal, Liverpool have retained an curiosity in signing Newcastle’s Anthony Gordon, having come near signing him one yr in the past.
The England worldwide, 24, is valued at £75m and any concrete transfer depends on Diaz’s future. Nonetheless, the long-standing curiosity and Gordon’s Merseyside affiliation might see him push for a return to Anfield, having left Liverpool’s academy as an 11-year-old.
Whereas Actual Madrid’s Rodrygo can also be on Liverpool’s radar, with preliminary talks having taken place, Gordon is likely to be the person to go for.
Why Liverpool need Anthony Gordon
In Cody Gakpo, Liverpool have a prolific and confirmed left winger. Nonetheless, Diaz’s departure would name for a direct alternative, and whereas Rodrygo can be a surprising signing, Arsenal even have a vested curiosity, and Actual Madrid are in search of upwards of £87m.
Gordon can be a greater than acceptable fallback. A high-speed runner with a dogged strategy to his soccer, the Newcastle star has bloomed into one of many Premier League’s best over the previous couple of years, with teammate Bruno Guimaraes describing him as “particular”.
Technically sharp and bodily sturdy, he actually suits the mould that Diaz would depart behind, and this dynamic talent set may very well be the right factor for a younger striker in Ekitike, who will want help as he steps into the cauldron of fireplace that’s the English high flight.
Ekitike will, in fact, have the likes of Mohamed Salah and Florian Wirtz to guide the availability line, however in Gordon, Liverpool might retain the sense of power and completeness that Diaz brings to the desk.
And anyway, the Toon expertise has already demonstrated within the Premier League that he is able to throwing down with the likes of Diaz, and certainly Rodrygo, whose talent has led Luka Modric to explain him as a “world-class famous person” in La Liga.
Let’s dig a bit of deeper. Now, we will skew the info a tad. Gordon’s 2024/25 marketing campaign left lots to be desired, however he was a power to be reckoned with the season prior.
Taking a look at that 2023/24 time period, evaluating it to Rodrygo and Diaz’s league efforts final time period, we are able to see that he is received the potential to make fairly the impression at Liverpool.
League Comparability – Gordon vs Rodrygo vs Diaz | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Stats (* per recreation) | Gordon (23/24) | Rodrygo (24/25) | Diaz (24/25) |
Matches (begins) | 35 (34) | 30 (22) | 36 (28) |
Targets | 11 | 6 | 13 |
Assists | 10 | 5 | 5 |
Pictures (heading in the right direction)* | 2.3 (0.9) | 1.8 (0.7) | 2.0 (0.8) |
Massive possibilities missed | 9 | 1 | 11 |
Move completion | 82% | 91% | 86% |
Massive possibilities created | 16 | 5 | 8 |
Key passes* | 1.6 | 1.6 | 1.6 |
Dribbles* | 1.5 | 1.6 | 1.5 |
Ball recoveries* | 3.6 | 2.4 | 2.9 |
Tackles + interceptions* | 1.8 | 1.1 | 1.3 |
Duels received* | 5.3 | 3.8 | 3.8 |
Stats by way of Sofascore | |||
Fairly the trouble. Gordon’s performances, notching 21 aim contributions throughout Newcastle’s injury-hit yr, led to the honour of the membership’s Participant of the Yr. It was his first full season on Tyneside, and an illustration of his capability for high-level performances.
And whereas his excessive duel charge, creativity and efficiency within the last third would elevate Ekitike as he makes his maiden approach in England, the centre-forward might actually return the favour, with a method of play that’s actually layered and huge.
Certainly, as per FBref, Ekitike ranked among the many high 10% of forwards throughout Europe’s high 5 leagues final season for assists, the highest 6% for shot-creating actions, and the highest 4% for each progressive carries and profitable take-ons per 90.
Whichever approach you have a look at it, it is exhausting to think about Liverpool’s switch window being something aside from a hit. Slot proved his value final season, and now he is being rewarded with the elements to create an enduring squad of champions.
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