Luis Diaz Reborn: Arne Slot’s key role in reviving the Liverpool striker

Luis Diaz’s transformation into Liverpool’s leading goalscorer this season has been a remarkable development that no one could have fully predicted. The Colombian winger, signed from Porto in January 2022 for £50m, has always been dynamic on the pitch, but his evolution under the new Liverpool manager has been profound. With five goals in his first five Premier League games this season, Diaz has become a key figure in Arne Slot’s revamped squad. But what changed to trigger this transformation?

In this article, we delve into the story of Diaz’s resurgence, tactical tweaks, man management and his growing bond with Anfield fans. The original article from The Athletic forms the basis of our discussion, but we will also present our observations and conclusions.

The most important observation from Diaz’s recent performances is the noticeable change in his tactical role. Previously known for his extraordinary talent, dribbling skills and work ethic, Diaz’s performance in front of goal often fell short of expectations. His 24 goals in 98 pre-season appearances did not fully reflect his potential. However, Slot capitalized on this potential by making critical changes to Diaz’s game.

As Dr. Phil Barter noted on the Under Pressure Anfield Index podcast, Diaz has “transformed from a street player to a more sophisticated tactical player.” His role is no longer based on instinct, he attacks solo on the left flank. Instead, Diaz now operates more centrally and is in better scoring positions.

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Statistics support this narrative. Diaz’s expected goals per shot (xG) has increased from 0.13 last season to 0.19 this season. The numbers may seem small, but they point to his transformation into a more effective and calculated goal threat.

Liverpool vice-president Trent Alexander-Arnold put it best after Diaz’s double against Bournemouth: “Luis looks more hungry to score goals… He’s hitting the right areas and making the right decisions.” This season, Diaz’s positioning has been crucial to his improvement in form. He finds the ball in areas that give him a better chance of scoring and the results are telling.

Arne Slot’s arrival at Liverpool was met with high expectations, especially given his reputation as a player who improves the quality of his players. Diaz, like many others on the team, has benefited greatly from the new coaching regime. Slot’s tactical innovations, including changes to the performance of the full-backs, played a key role in Diaz’s success.

Both Andy Robertson and Trent Alexander-Arnold now play more natural full-back roles compared to the inverted positions they occupied under Jurgen Klopp. This subtle change had a huge impact on the team’s attacking dynamics. Alexander-Arnold’s movement and positioning now give Diaz more opportunities to drift inside and into more dangerous positions. Diaz is no longer stuck on the wing and doesn’t want to attack inside or shoot from distance. Instead, he receives the ball in central areas where his chances of scoring are much greater.

Diaz’s increased involvement in midfield play was evident in Liverpool’s pre-season match against Sevilla. For the second goal, Diaz moved inside to support Diogo Jota, confused the defender and sent the ball into the top corner. These moments of tactical precision and positioning allowed Diaz to raise the level of his game.

The changes also improved Diaz’s comfort with the team. With players like Cody Gakpo, Diogo Jota and Federico Chiesa competing for spots in attack, Diaz thrived in an environment that demanded excellence. Slot’s decision to pursue elite strikers, ensuring Liverpool remain competitive up front, has only increased Diaz’s focus.

In previous seasons, one of Diaz’s most significant flaws was his lack of composure in front of goal. He was often in promising positions, but either rushed his shots or had his efforts blocked by defenders. This season we are witnessing a different Diaz: one who takes his time, makes quicker decisions and, paradoxically, plays with greater composure in moments of high tension.

A perfect example of this newfound composure was his finish against Manchester United. After winning the ball from Casemiro, Diaz played a two-two with Alexis Mac Allister before firing his first-time shot past Andre Onana. It was a finish full of supreme confidence, the kind of goal that suggests a player is in the form of his life.

Additionally, his strike against Brentford showed his ability to finish a match with minimal fuss. Diaz, played by Jota, did not complicate the situation too much. He took his chance with aplomb and delivered a simple but emphatic finish.

Diaz’s growing ability to make better decisions quickly while maintaining his composure is a testament to Slot’s people management skills. Through regular one-on-one meetings and tactical analysis sessions, Slot and his coaching staff worked to refine Diaz’s decision-making. The results are clear and visible to everyone.

Diaz’s comeback isn’t just limited to the pitch. His bond with Liverpool fans has reached a new level, symbolized by the song that now echoes across Anfield. To the rhythm of the Italian folk song Bella Ciao, fans sing:

“His name is Lucho. He came from Porto. He came to score, score, score goals.”

The song, originally performed by local musician Andy Hodgson, has become a fan favorite and resonates deeply with the Kop faithful. The sympathy Diaz received from the fans only strengthened his self-confidence. “I just want to say thank you so much for this song, lots of love,” Diaz allegedly said during a video call with Hodgson.

Moments like these highlight the symbiotic relationship between player and fans, which plays a key role in Diaz’s performances. As Liverpool fans continue to support their Colombian winger, it is clear that Diaz is feeling more and more at home at Anfield.

Luis Diaz’s form this season is testament to the wider changes that have taken place at Liverpool under Slot. Slot’s emphasis on tactical discipline, combined with man management, has helped Liverpool rediscover the form that made them a dominant force under Klopp. The club’s current attacking philosophy requires fluidity, composure and quick decision-making – qualities that Diaz has quickly embodied.

Diaz’s ability to adapt to Slot’s methods and raise the level of his game further demonstrates his determination and professionalism. The Colombian representative became one of the leaders of the new Liverpool team, alongside players such as Konate and Szoboszlai. His phenomenal start to the Premier League campaign is a direct result of this consistency.

Although it is still early in the season, the signs are encouraging. Diaz plays with the freedom, tactical intelligence and clinical finishing that Liverpool fans could only hope for when he arrived. And with players like Erling Haaland as the only ones currently ahead of him, Diaz is in elite company.

📊 Luis Diaz – Deep-Dive | Statistical Analysis@DanKennett, @HKhaliqueLoonat & @Barts78 unpack the numbers behind Diaz's improved #LFC performance levels.

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Luis Diaz’s resurgence under Arne Slot has been a joy for Liverpool fans and it’s easy to see why. Improvements to his game, both tactically and mentally, have allowed Diaz to become a much more reliable attacking point for the team. As Dr. Phil Barter noted on our Under Pressure podcast, Diaz has transformed from a raw, instinctive player to a more refined and effective striker. The statistical evidence is there: with an increase in xG per shot, better decision-making and fewer speculative long-range efforts, Diaz’s game is maturing at the perfect time.

Slot deserves a lot of credit for identifying areas of Diaz’s game that needed refinement and working closely with him to make those changes. From positioning to peace of mind, Slot has overseen a transformation that is delivering impressive results. The support of the Anfield fans, embodied by the chant of Bella Ciao, undoubtedly played its part, but ultimately this transformation is down to Diaz’s dedication and Slot’s tactical acumen.

At Anfield Index we believe this is just the beginning for Diaz. His connection with the fans, combined with his ability to excel in Slot’s system, suggest he could easily surpass the achievements of previous Liverpool wingers. With competition for places becoming increasingly fierce, we wouldn’t be surprised to see Diaz continue to improve as the season progresses.