“The best I’ve played against”- Everton defender reserves special praise for Liverpool’s Luis Diaz

Everton right-back Nathan Patterson names Luis Diaz as the best player he has faced

Ever since moving to Liverpool from FC Porto in January 2022, Luis Diaz has set the Premier League ablaze by immediately adjusting to the new league, and has been phenomenal for the Reds during his time at the club.

In 38 appearances for the Reds across all competitions, Diaz has 10 goals and eight assists to his name. An unfortunate knee injury has seen him out of action since early October and will return to action sometime in March as per The Athletic.

Even in what was a sluggish start to the 2022-23 season for Liverpool, Diaz alongside Harvey Elliott and Alisson was among the best players for the Reds and created a very visible impact. Liverpool have certainly missed his services and will hope that he recovers ahead of schedule.

He has left several right-backs in England on the ground running behind him, and his performance against Manchester City and Chelsea in the semi-finals and finals of the FA Cup last season was one to remember.

Even Everton right-back Nathan Patterson spoke about playing against Diaz and called him one of the best the Scottish international has ever come up against. Here is what he said via the Daily Record:

“The Premier League is a different level, even from playing at Rangers. There’s at least 50,000 in the different stadiums every week so it’s great to have that pressure on you. Playing against top players every week is only going to benefit me.”

“It’s brilliant because at a young age I’m getting to challenge myself on a regular basis. What a league this is. The best I’ve played against so far is probably Diaz in the Liverpool game at Goodison. That was a proper test and I felt I did well. But honestly, everyone down here is top quality.”

In the goalless draw at Goodison Park earlier this year, Diaz did not have a great impact on the game and Patterson at right-back kept him fairly quiet. However, the influence he has had on the club in a short span of time is no ordinary feat.

Liverpool need to fill Diaz void

When a key player like Diaz is unavailable due to injury, it can be difficult for the team to fill the void and maintain their level of play. Liverpool do not have recognised left-wingers to stand in for the former Porto winger and could have to rely on Curtis Jones and Fabio Carvalho to do the same.

The injury is also likely a personal setback for Diaz, who will have to work hard to regain his fitness and earn his place back in the team. The Reds see themselves linked with a loan move for Christian Pulisic, but we will have to see where that goes as well.

Alternatively, the team could look to shift players around and alter their tactics to make up for the loss of Diaz. Whichever approach the team chooses, it will be important for them to find a way to compensate for the loss of Diaz and continue competing at a high level.

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It must have taken a lot for an Everton player to praise a Liverpool star in such a manner. And that is just further proof of how irreplaceable Diaz has already become at Anfield.