Why Luis Diaz left Liverpool with Bayern Munich forward on fire at new club

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Luis Diaz left Liverpool to join Bayern Munich last year and he has gone on to have a better season than any of his old teammates, and could end up winning the Champions League

Luis Diaz left Liverpool last year(Image: Richard Martin-Roberts - CameraSport via Getty Images)

Luis Diaz gave Liverpool another reminder of what it's been missing this season, as he scored Bayern Munich's decisive goal in its Champions League quarter-final victory over Real Madrid on Wednesday.

After one of the games of the season at the Allianz Arena, Diaz scored an equalizer to make it 3-3 on the night and 5-4 to Bayern on aggregate as added time approached.

Michael Olise rubber-stamped Bayern's progression a few minutes later with the winning goal on the night, but it was Diaz's goal which was the most important of the two.

Diaz has been a revelation for Bayern since joining the German club last year, scoring more goals and registering more assists than any of his old Liverpool teammates have managed this season.

So why did he leave Liverpool, when he is giving so much to one of Europe's other elite clubs?

Why Luis Diaz left Liverpool

Despite Diaz's standing as a key part of Liverpool's forward line, his wage did not reflect that, and he was paid a far lower amount than many of his teammates.

Diaz first angled to leave Liverpool in 2024 and he did the same in 2025, but stayed on both occasions, and ended up playing an important role in the Reds winning the Premier League last season.

Liverpool and Diaz did engage in talks over an extension, but the Colombian's demands were not met.

Aged 28, Diaz knew that the next contract he signed would probably the biggest of his career, and Bayern ultimately offered far more than Liverpool was willing to pay him.

Diaz's contract at Bayern reportedly sees him earn a gross salary in excess of $16 million per year.

Luis Diaz has shone for Bayern this season(Image: Getty Images)

As for why Bayern targeted Diaz — Florian Wirtz's move to Liverpool, combined with Leroy Sane's departure from Bayern, left the German giant in need of an attacking addition.

Nico Williams of Athletic Club, Bradley Barcola of PSG, and Jamie Gittens — who joined Chelsea earlier in the window — were all on Bayern's radar but did not move there for one reason or another.

Liverpool agreed to let Diaz leave the club because the fee was viewed as too good an offer to turn down, with the Reds receiving up to $88 million for the winger.

Liverpool also needed to recoup some money to afford the spending spree it went on last year.