Arne Slot and Liverpool will be welcoming the international break with open arms. Saturday’s defeat at Stamford Bridge was the third time in a row that the Reds suffered defeat, with questions starting to be asked of the defending Premier League champions.
The cynics might say it was coming. Even when they were plucking out late wins earlier in the season, their performances flattered to deceive, with suggestions Slot and Liverpool’s luck would eventually run out. It appears it has, with the record champions finding themselves in a bit of a rut.
However, as teenage sensation Estevao was twisting the dagger into Liverpool’s back at Stamford Bridge, around 600 miles away, a former Liverpool star was rubbing the salt into Slot’s wounds. It came during Bayern Munich’s dominant 3-0 victory over Eintracht Frankfurt, where Luis Diaz played a part in all three of the Bundesliga giants’ goals.
The Colombian needed just one minute to make an impact, with Diaz netting the opening goal early doors. Before the break, Diaz had registered another goal contribution by laying the ball off to Harry Kane, whose rocketed an effort into the back of the net.
He wasn’t done there though, as Diaz added a third for Bayern with six minutes to play, taking his entire tally for the season to a whopping six goals and four assists across all competitions. It’s safe to say that Diaz has hit the ground running in Munich, which will only heighten the frustration from a Liverpool perspective, given their attacking woes.
Alexander Isak is yet to score a goal in the Premier League or Champions League, while Florian Wirtz’s only goal contribution of any kind came in the Community Shield against Crystal Palace. Both players cost over £100million and have flattered to deceive so far.
Liverpool banked £65.5million for Diaz’s signature, with the general consensus at the time being that Bayern had potentially overpaid. But while Isak and Wirtz have age on their side, losing Diaz’s guaranteed threat has certainly been evident, even at this early age of the season.
The 28-year-old found the back of the net on 17 occasions across all competitions last season, with his performances helping inspire Liverpool to their second league title in five years. So, for as long as Liverpool’s attackers are huffing and puffing in big matches, watching Diaz light it up with his new side in Germany is sure to sting that little bit more.