Luis Diaz transfer reality already clear as Liverpool sent another reminder

4 hours ago 28

Joining Bayern Munich from Liverpool for a fee that could reach $88 million (£66 million), including add-ons, this summer, Luis Diaz has made a blistering start with his new club.

He has already picked up some silverware in the form of the German Supercup. In competitive games, he has two goals and two assists in two appearances for the Bundesliga giant, leaving new teammate Harry Kane impressed.

Diaz helped Bayern Munich to a 6-0 win over RB Leipzig on Friday on matchday one, that result might already have put an end to any hopes of there being a title race in Germany — and things have gone swimmingly for him up to now.

That doesn't change the fact that Liverpool made the right decision to part ways with the Colombian winger, however. The Reds were happy with the fee they earned from a player who is already 28 and only had two years left on his deal.

Diaz had asked Liverpool to leave a year earlier, but stayed and helped win the Premier League title. The following summer, an exit was sanctioned when no agreement was forthcoming on a contract extension.

Just because he has been doing well in the early period of his Bayern Munich career, that doesn't mean that Liverpool was wrong to let him move. But what it does show is the importance of getting a replacement in.

Luis Diaz and Harry Kane celebrate winning the German Supercup.

Luis Diaz and Harry Kane celebrate winning the German Supercup.

In addition to letting Diaz go, Liverpool has also sold Darwin Nunez for a good fee this summer. Tragically, it lost Diogo Jota too.

In terms of numbers, Hugo Ekitike has come in, but that isn't enough to address the lack of balance when it comes to Arne Slot's forward line. Right now, Federico Chiesa is the fourth choice and Rio Ngumoha the fifth.

Though Chiesa scored on the opening weekend of the new season, there remains a major question mark over the Italian. He was overlooked so often last season that it would be gamble to place too much expectation on him now.

Ngumoha, meanwhile, for all that he is a huge talent, is still not 17. He is one for the future and should have a great few years ahead of him, but there has to be patience.

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Jeremie Frimpong can play higher upfield at times but only really on the right (and he is currently injured anyway). Most often, Mohamed Salah is going to be playing, with more depth required in the other forward positions.

It cannot be ruled out that Alexander Isak becomes a possibility for Liverpool in the next week or so, but the clock is ticking. As yet, Newcastle United has refused to shift its stance and it might remain rigid.

If Isak doesn't become realistic in the coming days, Liverpool will need to sign an alternative. And even if the case that the Swede does come in, there is an argument for signing another senior forward on top of that, too.

For all that Diaz is doing well in Germany, the real barometer of whether it was the right thing to sell him or not is nothing to do with his performances. In fact, it is purely down to whether Liverpool can bring another quality option to replace him.

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