He shouldn’t be judged by his goals and assists like Mane, but the latter had almost doubled Diaz’s goal tally at this stage of his Liverpool career.
It’s not that I think that he should be sold because he isn’t good enough. He is a hell of a dribbler, works really hard and when he’s on song, he’s a sight to behold. I still expect more output from his position though, and I’ve grown tired of seeing him running in circles, often killing momentum. If some foreign club places a good offer, I think we should take it. Someone younger and more direct could probably replicate Diaz’s production.
What about him? He’s young and he is a stud. What else is there to say?
Diaz also puts in a massive shift in defensively where Mo gets mostly a bit of a free pass in that aspect.
I also think this is the reason why our hierarchy may not be prepared to pay what Mo wants and why he may leave as they see there is a lot of pressure on RB, Szob and Grav to cover an oppositions overlapping full back.
It’s called balance, many teams have those protective mechanisms for certain individuals. It’s partly how we got incredible numbers from Salah for 8 years straight. In Ancelotti’s first era at Real, he found perfect balance for Ronaldo at the time; using Marcelo, Di Maria as the energetic LCM #8, Benzema’s blossom as a link up false #9, etc.
That balance is helping us to be on course of a highly successful season.
Never seen him play (or if I did I didn’t notice him) but I meant more in terms of his profile - left-footed, left-sided CB who is similar age to Konate.
I think Diaz is a better dribbler but Mane was more explosive and also excellent in the air but passing was also a weakness of Sadio, not that Diaz is much better.
But I think we all would take prime Mane over Diaz, but Bobby was the glue in our front 3 in many ways
Mane was better and more complete. He had a period off the right, his peak on the left, even did a job centrally (as did Diaz at times this season). Could go both ways. Athletically fantastic, very solid in duels, could finish with variety. Diaz has a bit more skills. Yesterday we saw a situation where Diaz took it inside the box on his left side, but didn’t trust trying with his left.
If we get David on a free, it might enable us to go big on another forward, probably a winger, assuming we change two of the group up top. Might be a clever way to do it.
He primarily likes getting it to his feet and running at the defender, but when he does he can go past them on either side and with variety in how he does it. But he is also dangerous going long and chasing balls. He’s become increasing adept at coming inside and attacking the box. Last night about the closest we came to scoring (a legitimate goal) was a header of his from a corner.
Regarding our forward line I thought this was thought provoking from Redmen TV and I do agree with it in regards to the 9 position, although one difference with us is that our 3 front men rarely interchange, especially on Mo’s side.
With Quansah and Bajcetic, they are both at the age and stage in their careers where they need games. I have no doubt around either of their quality. If they can get games here, then I’d be all for that. But I think they are not going to benefit from occasional cup games.
Anyway regardless if whether it’s a new signing, or a loanee returning, I would be looking for a CB (Huijsen), a LB (Kerkez) a Versatile midfielder, and a striker (with Nunez departing).
I would not sell many lads, and in all honesty we shouldn’t need to. To pick out a few names I’ve seen mentioned…
Gomez - will need him to deputise Bradley when Trent leaves, also can cover across the back four, and home grown.
Endo - Slot appears to have grown to trust him to do that shoring up midfield and seeing out games thing. You can’t overvalue a lad who is happy to be here and willing to do five minutes of kicking people a week.
Jones - fuck knows why that name gets brought up.
Diaz - likewise
Jota - great squad option striker, and the only reason he has struggled is s bit of a freak injury.
Chiesa - would like to see what he can do with a pre-season under his belt.
I would be looking to move on Nunez and Tsimikas and a few kids.
