Luis Diaz has quietly become one of Liverpool’s most reliable performers, yet his future at club remains shrouded in uncertainty. As discussions swirl around new contracts for Virgil van Dijk, Mohamed Salah, and Trent Alexander-Arnold. There’s been surprisingly little talk about securing Diaz’s long-term future, despite his increasing importance to the team.
The 27-year-old Colombian winger, who arrived at Anfield in January 2022, has been delivering consistently on the pitch. Providing the kind of value for money that Liverpool’s transfer team, led by the returning Michael Edwards, has always prized. However, despite his contributions, Diaz is far from being one of the club’s highest earners. This situation raises questions about how much the club values him compared to other key players.
Diaz finds himself at a pivotal age for a footballer—27—where he is expected to be at his peak. Yet, for a selling club, this is also an age where a player’s market value can start to diminish. Something Liverpool’s transfer gurus are acutely aware of. Complicating matters is the fact that Diaz’s father has made no secret of his son’s desire to play for Barcelona one day, fueling speculation about a possible move away from Anfield. This summer, the prospect of Diaz departing Liverpool seemed closer than ever. Especially with the club reportedly showing interest in Newcastle’s Anthony Gordon.
The flirtation with Gordon might have unsettled Diaz, but his performances on the pitch have shown that he is far from a player on the decline. His electrifying display against Brentford. Where he scored the opening goal with the precision reminiscent of Sadio Mane in his prime, underlined his value to the team. Diaz often draws comparisons to Mane, particularly regarding his goal-scoring contributions. And while there is room for improvement, his recent form—three goals in his last two Anfield appearances. Including a pre-season brace against Sevilla—suggests he is hitting his stride.
Under new manager Arne Slot, Diaz has solidified his place in Liverpool’s first-choice lineup, ahead of Cody Gakpo and Darwin Nunez. He’s quickly become a crucial player for Slot, yet whether he is equally valued by Liverpool’s transfer team remains an open question. The summer’s flirtation with Gordon hints at lingering doubts within the club’s hierarchy about Diaz’s long-term role at Anfield.
With three-years left on his contract, Liverpool may not feel urgency to extend Diaz’s deal just-yet, but perhaps they should. His performances have earned him a place among Liverpool’s most important players, and he deserves recognition—and perhaps a bit more respect—in the form of a new contract that reflects his growing stature within the team.
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