Liverpool have found next Sadio Mané as Jürgen Klopp star is 'Neymar with work rate'

Liverpool needed to replace the goals that Sadio Mané provided for Jürgen Klopp as part of the next phase of their evolution. One transfer deal has done just that.

Sport 19:35 28.08.2022
Replacing a player like Sadio Mané was never going to be easy, but Liverpool are reaping the rewards from finding a star early who was in line to take the baton from the Senegal international at some point. Jürgen Klopp couldn't have been 100 per cent sure of whether that would have been this summer after Bayern Munich came calling — but the Reds already look to be in good hands.
 
Luis Díaz has been a revelation since joining the club, and it looks as though a half-season during the 2021/22 campaign was all he needed to settle in to Klopp's side. Four goals in 13 Premier League matches last season provided a foundation for the Colombian winger to build on, and he has done just that this season, having already scored three from four matches.
 
Díaz has, arguably, been Liverpool's best performer from the opening games. It was his wondergoal against Crystal Palace that rescued a draw after Darwin Núñez was dismissed, and the 25-year-old had the opening say as the Reds scored the first of nine against Bournemouth on Saturday afternoon. At his current rate, the former FC Porto star could soon establish himself as the best left-winger in the league — a title Sadio Mané had often made a case for.
 
It's a testament to Liverpool's recruitment team that they were able to find yet another player who has been able and make an instant impact, but also to Díáz, who has embraced life on Merseyside. He is dispelling myths of whether statistics can translate between leagues, with many somewhat dismissive of his 14 goals in 18 games in Portugal's top flight.
 
And it's clear why Klopp was keen to make a move for him. Away from the promising goal return and technical quality, Díaz's work rate has set him apart from the typical skilful South American winger. He adds the flair without the low defensive contribution — a factor that Neymar, among others, has been criticised for in the past, but something that Liverpool always look for — and exemplified by Mohamed Salah.
 
Díaz is Liverpool's top scorer in the Premier League after the opening four matches, but his transformation from a tricky winger who forced Real Madrid to double up on him in the Champions League final to a proven goalscorer at the highest level is most impressive.
 
For many players, finding the lethal touch inside the box is the final ingredient required to evolve. While he may not necessarily find himself matching the 22 league goals that Salah and Mané scored in the 2018/19 season, it's clear that progress has been made in that area of his game.
 
Of course, Mané is a loss to the side — but it could have been much worse had Liverpool been hesitant in the transfer market. There is no need to panic buy when there is a ready-made replacement, and it also emphasises the significance of developing players in favour spending — an element of Klopp's management style that is unrivalled.
 
As Liverpool prepare to welcome back Diogo Jota after his injury, it seems unlikely that Díaz will be edged away from starting minutes without being rested. But with Liverpool able to rotate between him and the Portugal international, it is difficult to find a better example of strength-in-depth — highlighting how the left-flank has been secured for the remainder of Klopp's tenure with a £37m masterstroke.
 
The silky South American could teach Neymar and others plenty — and that's exactly why Liverpool beat Tottenham and others to his signing.

 

Azerbaijan takes measures to turn Khankandi into safe city - VİDEO

News line

Russia prepares for new offensive in May-June l – says Zelensky
23:52 28.03.2024
Russian investigators have evidence of Ukraine link to Crocus terrorists
22:24 28.03.2024
Committee members of the EU Council will visit the South Caucasus region
19:48 28.03.2024
Bayern to pay Thomas Tuchel 12M euro compensation
Bayern to pay Thomas Tuchel 12M euro compensation
19:00 28.03.2024
Crocus City Hall terrorists took drugs before attack - law enforcement agencies
Crocus City Hall terrorists took drugs before attack - law enforcement agencies
18:33 28.03.2024
Azerbaijan, UN Development Program mull future co-op
18:00 28.03.2024
An Independent Trade Union Established within International Eurasia Press Fund - First in NGO sector - PHOTOS
17:39 28.03.2024
Italian PM condemns Macron for idea of sending troops to Ukraine
Italian PM condemns Macron for idea of sending troops to Ukraine
17:23 28.03.2024
Azerbaijan lends clarity to color requirement for taxis
17:02 28.03.2024
Isaac Herzog: Israel has no greater friend than US, and US has no greater friend than Israel
Isaac Herzog: Israel has no greater friend than US, and US has no greater friend than Israel
16:45 28.03.2024
Nigerian army eliminates over 200 militants in 2 weeks
16:30 28.03.2024
Armored Vehicle Coalition for Ukraine launched in Poland
Armored Vehicle Coalition for Ukraine launched in Poland
16:15 28.03.2024
Russia strengthens transport security measures after terror attack at Crocus City Hall
Russia strengthens transport security measures after terror attack at Crocus City Hall
15:55 28.03.2024
Türkiye plays an important role between Russia and Ukraine - says political scientist Ismail Cingoz
15:45 28.03.2024
2 schoolchildren detained in France on suspicion of sending bomb threats
15:35 28.03.2024
Ski resort in Georgia hit by avalanche
Ski resort in Georgia hit by avalanche
15:26 28.03.2024
Another protest against French colonialism held in New Caledonia, Azerbaijani flag raised
Another protest against French colonialism held in New Caledonia, Azerbaijani flag raised
15:15 28.03.2024
Media: US did not transfer all information about terrorist attack in Crocus City Hall to Russia
15:00 28.03.2024
Movement ‘Together’ calls on Armenia’s parliamentary forces to express vote of no confidence in Pashinyan
14:41 28.03.2024
Azerbaijan to participate in international trade fair in Istanbul
Azerbaijan to participate in international trade fair in Istanbul
14:32 28.03.2024
Le Pen accuses French government of fraud
14:22 28.03.2024
Armenian Government Grapples with Internal Division on Village Return Issue - Ishkhan Verdiyan talks on Ednews
14:12 28.03.2024
Ammunition found along route of Crocus City Hall terrorists
Ammunition found along route of Crocus City Hall terrorists
13:41 28.03.2024
Expert Ilyas Huseynov Predicts Peaceful Return of these territories to Azerbaijan
13:20 28.03.2024
Azerbaijan weather forecast for March 29
Azerbaijan weather forecast for March 29
12:55 28.03.2024
Russian MFA concerned about upcoming Armenia-US-EU meeting
12:23 28.03.2024
Secret Points of Pashinyan's Meeting with French Representative: Is Peace Agreement Signing Imminent?
12:00 28.03.2024
Armenia announces recruitment of border guards to work at Zvartnots
Armenia announces recruitment of border guards to work at Zvartnots
11:47 28.03.2024
The US-Armenia-EU Joint Conference is a part of the pressure plan on Azerbaijan - MP Konul Nurullayeva
11:30 28.03.2024
Azerbaijan’s central bank reduces discount rate
Azerbaijan’s central bank reduces discount rate
11:23 28.03.2024
CSTO chief: ‘Yerevan doesn’t participate in our work, but there are no statements about suspension’
11:13 28.03.2024
Ammunition found in Khankandi
Ammunition found in Khankandi
11:00 28.03.2024
Russia had been aware of preparation for terrorist attack at Crocus - says intelligience chief
10:46 28.03.2024
Scholtz reveals date of his last telephone conversation with Putin
Scholtz reveals date of his last telephone conversation with Putin
10:33 28.03.2024
Head of the SSS: France is inciting Armenia to a new war
10:21 28.03.2024
Are we in the brink of World War III? - Pundit talks on Ednews
10:10 28.03.2024
Azerbaijan's National Security: Reflecting on 105 Years of Defending Sovereignty
09:55 28.03.2024
Hikmat Hajiyev: Rasmussen fell in forgetfulness to attach payment to his report
09:35 28.03.2024
Hand grenades found in Kalbajar
09:25 28.03.2024
Titanic 'door' prop that kept Rose alive sells for $718,750
Titanic 'door' prop that kept Rose alive sells for $718,750
08:50 28.03.2024
Hamısı