Luis Diaz was out of his depth at Liverpool and they were totally right to let him leave - opinion

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As Luis Diaz continues to go from strength to strength at Bayern Munich, Liverpool’s decision to let him leave last summer has looked like a catastrophic mistake.The Colombian underlined his status as one of the best wingers in the world with a sensational performance – and a brilliantly taken goal – in Tuesday’s pulsating Champions League semi-final against Paris Saint-Germain.But while it is inarguable that Diaz has had a terrific campaign with Bayern, the rewriting of history about his three-and-a-half years with Liverpool is utterly baffling. Hard-working, but ultimately ineffective and with an erratic end product.Photo by Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty ImagesREAD MORE: Bournemouth’s Alex Scott makes bold claim on just how good Tyler Morton can become after leaving LiverpoolHaving initially made an explosive impact after signing in January 2022, injuries robbed Liverpool of the Diaz they thought they’d signed, and though he was still crucial to winning an impressive number of trophies for the Reds, he became more of a hard-working, but all-too often lacking in quality option.Diaz has flourished in a lesser leagueIt can often be a fool’s errand to compare different players in different leagues, and there are always examples either way.But for an attacker who thrives on having space on the pitch, moving to the Bundesliga has clearly helped Diaz.Some will point to the fact that he is flourishing on the biggest stage having shone – and scored brilliantly – against Real Madrid and PSG this season, but that likely has plenty to do with the fact that, on a week to week basis, he is being given space and time to save his legs and get at his full-back in prime conditions.Can anyone seriously say with a straight face that Diaz would have registered anything like the 26 goals 17 assists he has for Bayern had he stayed at Liverpool this season?

While that shouldn’t take away from Diaz’s season, it does reframe the argument that Liverpool should not have sold him.He was out of his depth trying to change games for Liverpool against teams who would not let him have space or time. Diaz has found a better level for himself, and that is absolutely fine.Liverpool can still sign an improvement on Diaz Despite the current desire to paint Liverpool as inept in their decision to let Diaz leave, there was a feeling last summer that it was the right timing for everybody.Part of the thinking from Liverpool’s side appears to have been that they had a prodigious talent coming through in Rio Ngumoha, and did not want to block his pathway.Although many supporters feel he should have been used more this season, Ngumoha would surely have played even less had Diaz been around.Photo by Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty ImagesWhatever fans’ think of Slot’s use of his 17-year-old gem, it is clear that the exposure to first-team games has been excellent for his longer term development.

That would not have happened had Diaz stayed.Moreover, Liverpool are all set to finally replace Diaz during this summer’s transfer window. Though they would do well to find somebody who can replicate the numbers he has posted for Bayern this season, Liverpool can surely find a younger model who can, in time, be just as effective in a much more competitive environment.Given the respective form of Diaz and his former club this season, it is easy to point to his sale as being a significant factor in Liverpool’s decline, but this is far too simplistic.