Liverpool edged closer towards the end of the season with a 2-2 draw against Arsenal on Sunday.

It was a controversial afternoon at Anfield, with Reds supporters loudly booing Trent Alexander-Arnold as he prepares to leave the club.

The boos for Alexander-Arnold overshadowed matters on the pitch, where Liverpool generally played well despite a second-half collapse.

Perhaps the best moment of the match came in the 21st minute, when Luis Diaz finished off a sparkling move to score Liverpool’s second goal.

Luis Diaz pledges long-term future at Liverpool: ‘As long as possible’	Luis Diaz pledges long-term future to Liverpool: ‘As long as possible’	Liverpool team vs Arsenal confirmed as Dominik Szoboszlai and Luis Diaz decisions made

It was a fourth goal in six appearances for Diaz and underlined his importance to the Liverpool squad this season.

After the match, Diaz confirmed that he wants to stay with the Reds, claiming that contract talks will soon commence between him and the club.

He has more than played his part.

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According to Lynch, though, Diaz’s good form has not translated into Liverpool being desperate to tie him down to a new deal.

“No, absolutely not,” the journalist told Anfield Index when asked if Diaz’s quotes show that he is definitely staying.

READ MORE: Trent Alexander-Arnold’s reaction to Anfield boos shows exactly what he thinks about Liverpool fans

“I think these quotes are showing that he wants a new deal and a pay rise.

I still get no impression really that Liverpool are absolutely desperate to give him one.

“I had a conversation yesterday at Anfield which made me think that all possibilities are on the table with Diaz,” Lynch adds.

“He could go if the right bid comes in, but equally if you’re already losing Nunez, maybe Chiesa goes earlier in the window as well, it suddenly starts to really add up.

So, managing turnover has to be a factor here.”

Lynch goes on to suggest that perhaps the ideal scenario for Liverpool is that Diaz stays put for another season before being moved on in 2026.

SeasonAppearancesGoalsAssists2021/2226642022/2321522023/24511352024/2548175Luis Diaz at Liverpool

However, it is also clear that the 28-year-old would like a new deal.

It is not a guarantee that he will happily sit on his current contract for another year.

Should Liverpool put contract talks off once again, they run the risk of Diaz becoming unhappy at the club.

With the Saudi clubs supposedly interested in Diaz, an offer coming in would then look nailed on to be accepted.

As Lynch points out, that could then leave Liverpool short.

This is certainly a delicate one for Liverpool to balance and it will be fascinating to see how it develops over the summer.
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