Penalties have defined the last week for Luis Diaz. In midweek, the Colombian spurned the chance to earn his country a dramatic World Cup qualifying win in Ecuador when his spot kick was saved in additional time.
Less than four days later, though, the winger’s persistence meant that, having moments earlier seen appeals for a penalty denied when challenged by Everton defender Nathan Patterson, his cross was handled by Michael Keane for what VAR eventually deemed a foul offence.
Mohamed Salah converted from the spot, and the resistance of the neighbours was broken as Liverpool ultimately earned a 2-0 triumph in the 243rd Merseyside derby to continue their strong start to the season and sidestep a post-international break setback.
Before then, Diaz had been instrumental in helping ensure momentum remained emphatically in the favour of Jurgen Klopp’s side when, having earlier drawn a booking form Ashley Young, shortly before half-time his strong run towards the penalty area was halted by the same player, resulting in the 29th sending-off in derby history.
By the time he was substituted in the 81st minute, the impact of the Colombian was clear. Neither of those two game-changing moments, though, feature in terms of the numbers now regularly used to quantify the contribution of a player, and an attacker in particular.
In terms of direct assists, Diaz hasn’t had one in the Premier League since he returned from injury in April. Compare that to his fellow forwards, with Salah having nine, Darwin Nunez and Cody Gakpo both three, and Diogo Jota one.
Diaz netted in the opening two games of this season at Chelsea and home to Bournemouth, but hasn’t scored in the Premier League since then and bagged only once in the closing weeks of last term. Again, it pales in comparison to Salah (13), Jota (nine), Gakpo (five) and Nunez (four) during the same period. Of course, Diaz would have another goal to his name were it not for the catastrophic VAR miscommunication at Tottenham Hotspur last month.
What Diaz is, though, is a true winger. It’s why only Salah, on the opposite flank, has more progressive carries for Liverpool this season in the Premier League and receives more progressive passes to help move the Reds further up the pitch. No Liverpool player has dribbled past an opponent more often, and only Dominik Szoboszlai and Salah have created more opportunities for team-mates.
Where the 26-year-old scores highly – and perhaps explains why he has started seven of the nine Premier League games this term, second only to Salah in terms of the forward line – is with his defensive contribution. Diaz’s pressing means he is in Liverpool’s top four for tackles won and has earned the most fouls, but also in the top 10 of the entire top flight for most fouls committed.
And where Diaz can improve is with his finishing. Again, only Salah has had more shots, but Diaz has managed to direct only four of his 20 on target. And his expected goals difference – the gap between the goals he should be scoring and those Diaz actually is – is the worst of any Liverpool forward according to some models.
It’s easy to forget Diaz is still to some extent rediscovering his peak form and sharpness after being sidelined for more than six months with a knee injury he subsequently aggravated ahead of his initially anticipated return.
His game time continues to be managed, with the 2-2 draw at Brighton earlier this month the first time he had played a full 90 minutes in a Premier League game for more than a year. By contrast, Diaz’s importance for his country is such he featured in every minute of Colombia’s recent World Cup qualifiers against Uruguay and Ecuador.
And the long-term absence of Andy Robertson from left-back means Diaz is now compelled to forge another relationship down the left flank, whether that is with Kostas Tsimikas or Joe Gomez. The imminent return from suspension of Curtis Jones to the left side of the midfield trio will help.
The bare statistics might say otherwise. But the naked eye highlights why Diaz is gradually once again becoming an influential member of Liverpool’s attacking set-up.
