Liverpool’s forward line revamp took another turn on Sunday as Luis Diaz agreed a move to Bayern Munich.
The Reds had publicly been adamant that Diaz would not be sold this summer, but the Colombian had been determined to make his exit.
As a result, the saga was only ever likely to end one way, and though Liverpool made sure they collected a big profit on Diaz, they will need to replace him.
A key player for Arne Slot last season, the 28-year-old started 28 Premier League matches, contributing 13 goals and five assists. He will leave a gap in the team.
Cody Gakpo remains as Liverpool‘s primary option on the left wing, while Rio Ngumoha has been making waves in pre-season. Slot still has options.
However, according to journalist Fabrizio Romano, the Reds are now expected to enter the transfer market to sign a new player after letting Diaz leave.
Photo by Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty ImagesLiverpool bid set to arrive for Alexander Isak
Diaz will not be an especially easy player to replace in the Liverpool squad. Although he is perhaps underrated sometimes, he has been important for Slot.
Bayern fans have not reacted well to Diaz’s arrival, but the No. 7 deserves a little more respect than that.
And according to Romano, Liverpool knew just how crucial Diaz has been. Speaking on his YouTube channel on Sunday, the transfer expert revealed that the Reds had tried to tempt him with a new contract.
“I can tell you that Liverpool offered him a new contract as part of this process and also told him that in case he stays, they are ready in September, October to completely restart the contract talks,” said Romano. “But Diaz said, ‘no thank you, I want to try something different.”
READ MORE: There is no doubt who should be Liverpool’s new No. 7 once Luis Diaz leaves
Having failed to convince Diaz to stay, the journalist claimed Liverpool are now set to ‘go big’ on a bid for Alexander Isak.
“I expect Liverpool to go very big, very strong for Alexander Isak,” he said. “The official bid is considered just a matter of time. I expect Liverpool to go very big on this one. I keep repeating but it’s going to be on Newcastle now whether they give the green light, sell the player, accept the situation.
“Eddie Howe today said there’s no chance for him to be on tour next week, he’s been clear, he wants to go and explore the move to Liverpool. Isak wants to go to Liverpool and now it depends on the clubs. After selling Luis Diaz and with the plan to sell Federico Chiesa and Darwin Nunez, I expect Liverpool to go very big for Isak. Their bid is ready, waiting for Newcastle to make a decision on the player.”
Will Liverpool sign a left winger too?
Clearly, Diaz and Isak are very different types of attackers. One is a winger with the possibility to play as a more unorthodox striker, the other is very much a No. 9.
However, given the amount Isak is going to cost to get out of Newcastle, it seems unlikely that Liverpool will sign a left winger as well this summer.
Instead, it feels more probable that Slot will play with four up front for Liverpool, with Hugo Ekitike, Gakpo and maybe even Ngumoha seen as the left sided options.
Of course, it is not out of the question in this crazy summer that the Reds try to bring in another big forward as well.
If Newcastle cannot be persuaded to part with Isak, then Liverpool will have to pivot and bring someone else in too. But, for now, it seems that the plan is Diaz out, Isak in.