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Liverpool’s 2025 summer transfer still continues to divide opinion.
When the window shut on September 1, few questioned whether the squad assembled by Richard Hughes, Michael Edwards and Arne Slot was capable of winning the Premier League. After all, the Reds added immense quality in the form of Alexander Isak, Florian Wirtz, Hugo Ekitike, Jeremie Frimpong, Milos Kerkez and Giorgi Mamardashvili, all of whom may form the bedrock of Liverpool’s squad for many years to come.
Yet, as the season has developed, the deficiencies in this talented roster have become evident. A lack of options at center-back, right-back and in the wide attacking areas have proved problematic for Slot, who has been powerless to prevent the Reds’ backslide.
Among the biggest reasons for that has been Liverpool’s decision to sell Luis Diaz.
It’s a choice that has been criticized by a number of commentators in recent months, and there was another reminder of the Colombian’s immense skills when he wrapped in a thunderous shot during the latter stages of Bayern Munich’s epic Champions League double header against Real Madrid last week.
It has been a special season for Diaz, who added a German title-winner’s medal to those he already owns from England and Portugal.
His impact on that success has been colossal. That was underlined by a remarkable stat shared by Bayern’s social media accounts.
Diaz has now registered 13+ in both league goals and assists, becoming the first-ever player to manage those numbers in a single Bundesliga campaign.
Given the division has run for over 60 years and has featured some of the world’s greatest players, Diaz’s achievements should not be underestimated, especially with four more games remaining this term.
Sadly for Liverpool, his excellent season contrasts markedly with the underwhelming displays from the Reds’ current wingers.
Cody Gakpo, who has registered just six league goals and five assists this season, was in direct competition with Diaz for a starting berth last year. The decision to retain Gakpo and let Diaz depart has, understandably, come under intense scrutiny, even if much of the conversation fails to reflect the complexity of the situation.
For a start, Diaz wanted to leave Liverpool and had even been tempted to do so 12 months earlier.
When Bayern came in with a transfer offer of €75 million ($88M/£68M) for a player approaching 30, the solution seemed obvious.
For Liverpool, clearly, that move has backfired. Yet Diaz has taken his game to new heights in Bavaria, and he could still end the season with a first Champions League success of his career.
English (US) ·