Also, due to this article also going live today, I didn't send out the automated email for the Rangers match preview so as to not overfill inboxes, but that thread is now live for paying subscribers to debate the game:
Luis Díaz Analysis - Liverpool Are Not Missing Sadio Mané
By Mizgan Masani
When Luis Diaz signed for Liverpool in January, the general consensus was that one of three out of Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mané and Roberto Firmino was set to leave in the summer. Turns out, Mané was the one. The Colombian, who is a left-winger by trade, became an automatic long-term replacement for the Senegalese superstar. Cue the comparison after every match!
There was an air of inevitability about the Reds making a slow start to the season with some pundits putting it all down to the fact they do not have Mané anymore; without even looking at the issues this team had been dealing with (injuries), plus the fact that the player who directly replaced Sadio was one of the best players in the team before the international break.
Below, we analyse Diaz’s season so far, compare it with Mané’s numbers of last season, and have an in-depth look at how the Colombian has performed juxtaposed to his returns in the second half of last season. Furthermore, we will dissect the direct impact the former Porto man has on this team.
Note: all data taken on 25th September, 2022 - during the international break (one assist in 45 minutes of football since, not included). All tabulated data for this article. When we talk about Diaz’s last season, it is his time at Liverpool from January onwards.
Luis Diaz - Elite Numbers
First up will be Diaz’s numbers in the Premier League this season and where he lies when compared to others in the league and the team.
Keep reading with a 7-day free trial
Subscribe to The Tomkins Times - Main Hub to keep reading this post and get 7 days of free access to the full post archives.