Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp announced that he will be leaving the club at the end of the current season. This was heartbreaking news for the players and the fans. However, this news also motivated the players and they are looking to give a perfect send-off to the German manager. The Reds won their first trophy after the EFL Cup triumph over Chelsea. They are also leading the English Premier League table.
However, despite this success, the Reds have major injury concerns. The likes of Mohamed Salah, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Darwin Nunez, Dominik Szoboszlai, Alisson and a couple of players are out injured. Jurgen Klopp’s side is full of youth team players and in their recent FA Cup game, some young players filled in the boots. Even in their EFL Cup triumph, the teenagers played a crucial role.
In these tough times, senior players need to step up to the occasion. Luis Diaz took responsibility and delivered in crucial league games. He is on a decent run in the last few games. Let’s look at how this Colombian is creating magic without some of his experienced teammates.
A constant threat down the left
Luis Diaz is not a player who waits for the ball to come. Instead, he demands the ball and makes runs towards the defenders. Diaz even likes to get at the end of crosses to score a goal. In the last five English Premier League games, Diaz has been a constant threat down the left flank. His heatmap shows how the player stretches the defence to get past the opposition defenders.
The 27-year-old has made 21 progressive runs and completed nearly 70% of his dribbles. His hunger and desire to do something for the team is what has impressed the managers and the fans. These runs often draw fouls and Diaz has won 11 in the last five league games.
Ball recovery in attacking zones is necessary for any top player. Diaz is not known that much for recovering the ball and this is due to his position of play. He is a player who is always there to get on the end of crosses delivered into the box. In the last five games, he has been more active and made few recoveries in the attacking zones.
Goals & threat
Luis Diaz scored his fourth goal of the league in Liverpool’s win over Chelsea. He then netted a goal against newcomers Burnley and Luton Town. In the last five matches, Diaz has tried to break the deadlock with 22 shot attempts. Of these 22, 10 shots were on target and the xG rate per shot is also on the higher side. Most of the shot attempts have been made from the centre of the goal.
Adding to his three goals is an assist against Brentford. Diaz has delivered 11 passes into the penalty box and four have turned into a shot assist. His pass map shows that the player likes to link play with the full-back. He is a team player and knows how to keep everyone in the game.
Jurgen Klopp will be happy with Diaz’s progress. The German manager will expect more in the coming games and hopes to end his term as Liverpool’s manager on a high.
Visuals via TFA data viz engine
