Something changed in him. He seems like a different man from the one who finished the previous season in English football. Although he still has the same curls atop his head and sports the typical goatee beard he displayed on his face on May 19, when Liverpool defeated Wolverhampton 2-0 in the last game of the Premier League, the Luis Díaz who arrived at the “reds” after the Copa América 2024 is another.
Not only because he appeared on the field at Anfield for his team’s friendly match against Sevilla from Spain (4-1) with his hair dyed a bright blonde that looked like gold when the rays of the sun hit it, but because he had a different attitude: he seemed more self-assured, the master and lord of his abilities as a footballer.
Perhaps the 27-year-old winger from La Guajira felt the pressure of potentially leaving the team he joined in January 2022 after the coaching change. Jurgen Klopp left, who often praised the Colombian footballer for his willingness to chase any ball, for his masterful skill when he launched into attack, and for the tricks he pulled that often made fans hold their heads in disbelief. In his place came Arne Solt, a coach who likes simple football and effective attackers.
While Díaz played in the continental tournament with the Colombian National Team in the United States, it was said in England that both the coach of Liverpool and the management were considering putting him up for sale, taking advantage of his market value (he was rumored to be going to Barcelona and PSG) to make some money and reinforce the team with a striker who had more scoring ability.
The lack of clarity in finishing has always been Lucho’s mistake, who has scored 29 goals with Liverpool in 99 matches played. He missed several opportunities that, had they gone in, could have helped the team win the English league title last season. But it seems that will no longer be a problem for the forward born in Barracas, Guajira.
Lucho Díaz scored
When Luis Díaz was substituted for Rey Nyoni in the 63rd minute of the match, the fans at Anfield rose to applaud him. Coach Solt also acknowledged his good work. Díaz not only showed speed, determination, and teamwork in attack. He also contributed a brace for the victory of the team from the city of The Beatles.
The young Guajira player scored again for his team after four months. His last celebration with the English team dated back to April 7, when he scored in the 2-2 draw between his team and Manchester United. This Sunday, as the song goes, he scored again. Díaz’s first goal came in the 39th minute of the match. It was a fantastic goal: he received a ball from the middle of the field, a bit towards the left side, and then, as he entered the area, he cut inside and shot towards the far post. He celebrated by raising his right hand, which was bandaged, and pointing to the crowd.
His second goal came in the 45+1 minute. He scored after Hungarian midfielder Dominik Szoboszlai provided him a pass inside the area that left him with an open goal to finish. This was the second brace Luis Díaz has scored with Liverpool in the two and a half years he has been wearing this jersey.
The previous one dated back to August 27, 2022. That day he scored twice in his team’s 9-0 victory against Bournemouth during the match valid for the fourth round of the Premier League 2022-2023. His goals opened and closed the scoreboard: they came in the 3rd and 85th minutes. Now, with a different air, Díaz hopes to convince his new coach to stay “at home.” Liverpool’s first match in the English league will be on Saturday, August 17, against Ipswich, starting at 6:30 a.m. (local time).