Porto have a new left-footed Luis Diaz coming through who Liverpool should be watching closely - opinion
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Liverpool fans have had to watch as Luis Diaz hits the ground running at Bayern Munich this season.
Many supporters did not want to see Diaz leave the Reds after three-and-a-half productive years on Merseyside.
However, with Liverpool unwilling to meet his contract demands, it soon became clear that the 28-year-old’s time at Anfield was over.
Liverpool got a brilliant fee for Diaz and Bayern got a player who could slot straight into their starting line-up.
Despite his quality, though, there had been a feeling amongst Liverpool fans that Diaz was no longer quite the same player who so dazzled upon his signing from Porto in 2022.
Diaz was exceptional for Porto, leading to the Reds moving forward plans to sign him from summer to winter.
And Liverpool should be taking note.
Photo by Carlos Rodrigues/Getty Images
There was a period where Liverpool seemed determined to mine the very best players in Portugal and take them to Anfield.
Diaz and Darwin Nunez arrived within six months of each other, while strong links to players such as then Sporting pair Matheus Nunes and Manuel Ugarte ultimately did not bear fruit.
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That drive was seemingly led by Julian Ward, who spent a brief time as Liverpool’s sporting director.
Now back at Anfield and working under Michael Edwards and Richard Hughes, Ward will no doubt be keeping track of goings on in the Primeira Liga.
If he is, then he will have seen William Gomes turning it on for Porto.
After arriving from Sao Paulo last January, the 19-year-old has gone up a level this season.
Gomes hit his fourth goal in only his seventh appearance of the campaign on Thursday, bending home a superb long-range winner as Porto beat Salzburg in injury time.
Possessing quick feet, excellent balance and an ability to let off accurate, curling shots from range, Gomes bears a striking resemblance to Liverpool’s former No.
As they begin to plot beyond Mohamed Salah’s time at the club, that is something that should alert Liverpool.
SeasonClubAppearancesGoalsAssists2023Sao Paulo3002024Sao Paulo16312025Sao Paulo1002024/25Porto9002025/26Porto740William Gomes career so far
Once Salah leaves, which is likely to be in 2027, the Reds will not have a naturally left sided attacker.
While that is not an absolute necessity in a squad, it is fair to assume that Arne Slot would like to have at least one player who can cut inside from the right onto his strongest foot.
It is still very early days for him in Europe, but there are some early signals that Gomes could be in the running when it comes to bringing in a new left-footer.
Given their history of plucking players from Portugal’s very best, Liverpool will have their eye on him at the very least.