Liverpool's signing of Luis Diaz will almost certainly have serious short- and long-term consequences. Over the next few months he may help them close the gap to Manchester City in the Premier League title race, and over the next few years he should help them transition into a new era as Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino all enter their 30s.
Diaz arrived from Porto at the end of the January transfer window. Signed for an initial fee of around £38 million, the 25-year-old had previously interested Tottenham Hotspur. A Colombian international with over 30 caps to his name, the competition for his signature was understandable – he hit 14 goals in 18 league games in the first half of this season.
Of course, the transition from Portuguese top flight to English Premier League is not a straightforward one; there is a difference in levels. But many players have made the jump before, and there is plenty of reason to believe Diaz can do the same.
When discussing his new signing, Klopp highlighted the player's character and physical characteristics, calling him 'hungry', 'fast' and 'a fighter'. All of these are key components in a Liverpool player: they play high-paced attacking football, and that requires forwards of a certain disposition and athleticism. Diaz ticks those boxes, but these aren't what make him special. Klopp also described him as 'skilful' and as someone who 'always has the goal in mind'. These are the specific attributes that may set the Colombian apart from his new teammates.
Diaz can score goals, but he isn't an out-and-out No.9. At Porto, he usually played off the left-hand side or off a striker. On his debut for Liverpool, against Leicester City, he played on the left of the front three with Firmino central and Jota on the right. In future, the left or central roles in Liverpool's frontline will probably be where he gets his game time.
The most noticeable qualities in Diaz's attacking arsenal are his agility and close control. He is exceptionally nimble and well-balanced, able to change direction quickly, stay on his feet and keep the ball under pressure. When dribbling, he alternates touches between the outside and inside of his right foot, giving him the option to go outside or inside. While right-footed, the fact he is comfortable on his left keeps the opponent guessing.
This trait was on show against Leicester. Here, in the 12th minute, he teases the defender and fakes to go inside before cutting onto his left and accelerating around the outside, hitting the by-line and playing the left-footed cut-back for a teammate.
Three minutes later, he fakes to go outside his man before coming in on his right foot, dribbling into the space between the lines, and spreading play to the other flank.
With Porto this season, Diaz was averaging 2.6 dribbles per game – that's more than Salah, Mane, Jota or Firmino have done with Liverpool. He was also playing more key passes to set up shots for teammates, emphasising the creative role he played for the Portuguese giants.
Unlike the straightforward, sharp-moving Jota, Diaz is an elastic, fluid player who moves freely in all directions. He will inject a bit of unpredictability into Liverpool's attacking setup, and he has already demonstrated a fine understanding with Andrew Robertson down the left, with one-twos to play the Scottish full-back in behind or to hit space himself. One thing he may need to adjust is his passing with the outside of his right boot – it can be bobbly and slow, which doesn't suit the fast ball movement Klopp wants from his side.
Diaz doesn't have a long history of prolific goalscoring – this was his first season of European football hitting double figures. At 5ft 10in, he can compete in the air and is stronger than his thin frame would suggest. He also times his runs behind well, but a lot of his goals are ones he makes for himself, as opposed to ones he finishes first-time on a ball over the top or a cross into the box. He likes to cut in on his right foot and shoot, and provides a threat from outside of the penalty box. But in order to command a starting role at Liverpool, the key area will be the efficiency of his finishing from inside the area.
Ironically, the Liverpool attacker Diaz most resembles is the one he is least likely to replace – Salah. Both players are good soloists who can hold onto the ball in tight areas, with superb close control dribbling and pace. They are also similar in that they score a lot of goals off the dribble, cutting inside on their preferred foot.
Finally – the defensive side of the game. Liverpool are a high-pressing team, and they need attackers with the mentality, intelligence and speed to do that. Diaz has already settled well in this sense, showing awareness of angles and a good work rate to participate in pressing traps like the one below. In this situation, he cuts off the back-pass before engaging the Leicester player in a 1v1 duel, barging him off the ball and initiating the counter-attack.
Klopp was impressed with what he saw on Diaz's Premier League debut. "It was his first game and it was probably one of the best I ever saw from a new player," he said. "That's true, because he looked completely natural." But Klopp also asked for patience as his new signing adapts to football and life in England.
Diaz can bring freshness and flair to Liverpool's attacking play, and that can't hurt their chances of catching Manchester City. But it's in the long-term that he is most likely to make an impact. At 25, he is younger than his attacking teammates and at an earlier stage in his development. Whether or not this season's Premier League title goes to Anfield, he should play a significant role in improving the club's trophy haul down the line.
