Arne Slot explains why Luis Diaz has started season in spectacular form
Liverpool head coach Arne Slot believes consistent training and a return to his expected output have been the secrets to Luis Diaz’s fast start to the 2024/25 season.
Only Erling Haaland with ten has more Premier League goals than Diaz’s tally of five through the opening five rounds of fixtures so far this term.
The Colombia winger has already bettered his tally of league strikes from his first two seasons with the Reds (four in each of 2021/22 and 2022/23) while he is closing in on last year’s total of eight.
Speaking to the press ahead of Saturday’s trip to Wolves, Slot was asked about the key to Diaz’s resurgence under his management.
„We train on a daily basis trying to help in the best possible way in terms of where to position themselves and what to do in certain situations,“ he said.
„But in the last third of the pitch, it’s about the quality of the player and the finishing he has. Eight league goals is, for his quality, not of his standard. Maybe he was a bit unlucky [last season].“
Diaz was linked with a move away from Liverpool over the summer, with Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain both interested in his services.
He remained at Anfield despite stiff competition for places, with Cody Gakpo and Darwin Nunez also fighting for a spot at left wing.
Liverpool also strengthened their forward line with the surprise addition of Juventus winger Federico Chiesa towards the end of the transfer window. He made his first start for the Reds in their 5-1 demolition of West Ham United in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday, coming up with an assist.