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After winning the Premier League in his first season in charge, Arne Slot has quickly established a clear and effective identity at Liverpool, with his tactical ideas build around control and intelligent pressing, taking centre stage.

As the Reds aim to defend their title, attention has already turned to what will look to be a busy summer transfer window, in hope to develop the squad further.

Among those with uncertain futures earlier in the year was Luis Diaz.



But now, with reports suggesting the Colombian is keen to stay and open contract talks, the situation has shifted.

In the context of Slot’s system and Liverpool’s ambitions in his second season, offering Diaz an extended deal would make the most sense and we will be discussing further into five reasons why.

A CORE COMPONENT

Arne Slot’s system places a high value on balance.

A stable central structure complemented by creativity in wide areas.

On the left flank, the creative role often requires someone who can stretch play, isolate defenders and drive at goal with purpose – Luis Diaz has shown he is well-suited to that.

His ability to beat opponents one-on-one, create space for overlapping runs and vary his movement has made him a reliable and effective outlet to be able to rely upon.

Diaz is ongoing a hot streak following four goals in Liverpool’s last six league games, whilst scoring in their last three home matches against Arsenal, Tottenham and West Ham.

These performances in the decisive stages has proved that the Colombian fully understands and thrives within the manager’s tactical needs.

SYNERGY WITH CODY GAKPOLiverpool FC via Getty Images.

Luis Diaz and Cody Gakpo both primarily operate on Liverpool’s left-flank, but their styles offer constrasting qualities that provide Arne Slot with valuable options.

While Gakpo tends to play with more directness, often cutting inside to create chances through passing combinations or shots from distance, Diaz opts to stay wide and uses his explosive pace and close control to stretch defences.

The difference is crucial because it allows Liverpool to vary their attacking approach without changing personnel.

The Colombian”s ability to constantly hug the touchline and provide natural width pulls full-backs out of position which then opens pockets of space for teammates to run into and exploit from the inside channel.

If Liverpool were to lose Diaz, it would mean sacrificing a key attacking dynamic.

One that adds unpredictability to their forward player and on short notice, is difficult to replace.

RELENTLESS ENERGY

Diaz’s off-the-ball contributions is a key reason he fits perfectly into Liverpool’s high-intensity approach.

While Arne Slot’s pressing scheme is more structured, it still relies on wide forwards who are disciplined, agressive and positionally aware.

Throughout the season, the winger has consistently ranked amongst the top attackers for pressing actions, ball recoveries and successful duels with his ability to press from the front making him valuable from transitions.

Diaz’s positional discipline allows his team to maintain their shape in turnovers of the opposition and his relentless energy offers as a tone-setter.

This is most noticeable when Liverpool have a lead to hold onto, where control off the ball is just as important as the creativity on it.

PROVEN GOAL THREATEPA.

Luis Diaz’s consistent ability to contribute goals and assists from wide areas is a fundamental asset for Liverpool.

Under Arne Slot, the winger offers reliability from an offensive position with movement that can disrupt defences.

His steady goal involvement in recent months have helped alleviate the scoring burden on Mohamed Salah, which begins an evolution into a more clinical forward.

Diaz’s growing confidence in-front of goal and improved decision making reflects the upward trajectory he is on.

The Colombian seems poised to deliver a more dependable outlet in Liverpool’s attack and in-doing so, will likely play an important role in the club’s efforts to remain competitive at the highest level of English football and in Europe.

SETTLED ON MERSEYSIDE

At twenty-eight, Luis Diaz is entering the prime of his career.

His performances suggest there is still a lot more to come, particularly as he becomes more comfortable with Slot’s tactical setup.

Just as importantly, Diaz appears settled both on and the pitch.

His desire to remain at Liverpool with contract negotiations taking place, signals a level of intent and commitment that is often undervalued in modern football.

Crucially, there is no like-for-like replacement waiting in the wings.

Few attackers can combine Diaz’s work rate and dribbling with such consistency, meaning replacing his specific profile would be a difficult task for the club while maintaining a squad balance, which is functioning at a league-title winning level.

As Liverpool prepare for a summer of transformation, Luis Diaz stands out as a vital piece to retain.

With the potential departures of Darwin Nunez, Diogo Jota and Federico Chiesa looming, Diaz’s importance is being highlighted in the final weeks of the campaign.

The club will undoubtedly introduce fresh faces to the forward line, but his established quality offers Liverpool some continuity as Arne Slot hopes to build on his first Premier League title.

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