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Liverpool's summer transfer dealings have been the subject of intense scrutiny in recent months, with many new signings struggling to find their feet.
After splashing out roughly $600 million on transfers, the performances of Florian Wirtz, Alexander Isak, and Hugo Ekitike have come under particular pressure. However, it's not just the incoming transfers that have drawn criticism, but also some notable departures.
The loss of Trent Alexander-Arnold to Real Madrid was a significant setback for the team, which has since struggled to fill the right-back position. Another case in point is Luis Diaz, who left Liverpool for Bayern Munich over the summer.
Diaz, who joined Liverpool from FC Porto in January 2022, primarily played as a left winger under both Jurgen Klopp and Arne Slot.
During his three-and-a-half-year stint with the Reds, Diaz made 148 appearances, netting 41 goals and providing 23 assists. He became an integral part of the team that clinched the Premier League title last season.
However, his departure to Bayern Munich over the summer marked the end of an era. While the move seemed justified given the substantial fee involved, it's now evident how much Liverpool has missed him.
The attacking line has been far from impressive, with Isak and Ekitike finding it difficult to play together, resulting in a dearth of goals at crucial moments despite opportunities coming their way.
This situation is further exacerbated by Diaz's performances at Bayern Munich, which have highlighted what the team is missing.
The winger has consistently found the back of the net, scoring 11 goals in 16 appearances for the German club, along with five assists, equating to a goal involvement per game.
However, his journey hasn't been without hiccups, as evidenced by the red card he received for a dangerous tackle on Achraf Hakimi during the Champions League match against PSG. This resulted in a three-match ban in the competition.
Despite this setback, Diaz's start at Bayern has been largely positive, adding an attacking flair to the frontline and complementing the efforts of Harry Kane and Michael Olise.
Bayern's manager, Vincent Kompany, recently praised Diaz, stating: "Considering that this is his very first season and his first steps in Germany, he's been impressive. His activity and energy fit very well into the team. He's always involved, always there."
This is the kind of energy that Slot has been unable to utilise, with Isak's fitness not up to par and Wirtz still acclimatizing to the physical demands of the Premier League.
The left wing has seen a rotation between players such as Cody Gakpo, Wirtz, and Ekitike this season, indicating a lack of balance - an issue that Diaz certainly addressed in the squad.
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