Luis Diaz must step up as he fails to outshine Liverpool teammates at Copa America
Liverpool winger Luis Diaz failed to get the better of Alisson for Colombia in a 1-1 draw against Brazil at Copa America on 2 July.
New Liverpool manager Arne Slot will no doubt have been watching as two of his senior players faced off on the biggest stage.
The tournament is the perfect opportunity for Diaz to impress Slot ahead of the 2024/25 season.
His future at Anfield has been the subject of speculation for months with a move to Barcelona already touted [Metro, 27 June].
What the Copa America means for Luis Diaz at Liverpool
Diaz will need to use Copa America as a chance to impress Slot.
The 27-year-old was under heavy criticism last season for his performances in a Liverpool shirt and the club’s reported pursuit of Anthony Gordon [Daily Mail, 29 June], only adds fuel to the fire.
His overall play has never come into question but his ability in front of goal.
The Colombian’s lack of goals will be under the microscope next season especially with Cody Gakpo scoring consistently for the Netherlands at Euro 2024 in the same position.
As per Sofascore, Diaz only managed one shot on target against Brazil resulting in one big chance missed.
Alisson kicked the ball straight to his teammate under pressure and he fired his shot straight back at the goalkeeper.
It was a match in which he never got going and only completed 50 per cent of his attempted dribbles.
He has completed only 53 per cent of his dribbles throughout the tournament which is relatively low for a player that moulds his game on his ability to take on the opposition.
The Liverpool number seven did create one big chance and arguably the biggest opportunity of the match.
With less than 10 minutes to go and the score tied, he found Rafael Borre unmarked at the back post.
Alisson was left scrambling to get across with the goal gaping but Borre fired his effort over the crossbar.
He has enjoyed a successful tournament so far with one goal in three games and a 7.03 average match rating.
But Diaz will need to record bigger numbers to rival Gakpo for a starting spot for Slot’s Liverpool.
The draw saw Colombia top Group D and will face Panama in the quarter-final.
Whereas Brazil finished runners-up in the group and Alisson will face off against Darwin Nunez and Uruguay in the quarter-final on Sunday.
In other Liverpool news, Arne Slot’s transfer plan at Anfield has already been shared.
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