BT Sport pundit Rio Ferdinand feels Luis Diaz will need to add more goals to his game if Liverpool are to cope with the loss of Mo Salah.
The Reds are still locked in talks with Salah’s representatives over a new contract but, if no agreement can be found, Ferdinand claims Diaz is the one that will have to “step up” in the Egyptian’s absence:
“If you lose Salah, you’re losing 30 plus goals a season and that’s where Diaz needs to step up. In terms of excitement and enjoyment watching him, he’s top. He’s scoring but not at the Salah rate, and that’s the difference. What happens normally when a player like Salah leaves it’s about other players stepping up.”
Ferdinand is right to pinpoint Diaz as the one who could well increase his goal return. While the Colombian international’s performances have caught the eye of fans and pundits alike, his six goals in 24 appearances can be improved upon.
Manager Jurgen Klopp is known for getting the very best out of his players and, with Diaz already performing well, it is scary to think about what he could accomplish in the coming years. He could certainly soften the blow of Salah’s departure, but it would still be a tough ask for him to replace Salah, who has been a phenomenon since his arrival at the club in 2017.
