Ryan Babel backs Liverpool to struggle if they sell their star forward Luis Diaz but will they?
Speaking to Ladbrokes Fanzone (h/t Liverpool Echo)Ryan Babel has voiced concerns about Liverpool’s potential struggles if Luis Diaz decides to leave the club this summer. Since joining from Porto in 2022, Diaz has not yet signed a contract extension, and his current deal runs until 2027. Despite having three years remaining on his contract, there’s uncertainty about his long-term future at the club.
Diaz’s performances for Liverpool have been somewhat underwhelming, with the Colombian winger scoring only 24 goals in 95 appearances for the club. If he were to depart, it could leave a significant void in Liverpool’s squad, potentially impacting their ability to compete at the highest level.
Speaking to Ladbrokes Fanzone (h/t Liverpool Echo), former Liverpool forward Babel said:
“If Liverpool lose Luis Diaz this summer, they’re in trouble. If Mo Salah leaves, that’s obviously a massive change to the squad, but allowing Diaz to leave as well would be very, very terrible, in my opinion.”
“It’s a difficult one, and it’s a decision these guys are going to have to make in the summer, and it’s something the new manager will have to deal with when he comes in; how the whole club and structure will look next season.”
If Diaz opts to leave Liverpool, the club will reportedly seek a fee of around £75 million for his transfer. Paris Saint-Germain is said to be among the interested parties vying for his signature. Barcelona are also interested in the winger, but their financial constraints may pose a challenge in meeting Liverpool’s valuation for the player.
Do the numbers back up Babel’s claims?
Despite his relatively modest tally of six goals in 26 games, Luis Diaz injected a surge of energy into Liverpool’s 2021-22 campaign, earning plaudits as a potential superstar. However, his momentum was abruptly halted by a knee injury sustained against Arsenal last October, sidelining him for six months and dampening the enthusiasm surrounding his arrival.
Diaz averages 0.30 goals a game while averaging 0.19 assist per 90 minutes. While the numbers aren’t bad, they are far from prolific. For all of his dynamism, the lack of cutting edge in the final third is a worrying stat. Surely, the Reds could do with someone more prolific.
This season, Diaz has really struggled to get going at any point, and he is part of an attack that currently feels more like a group of individuals than a unit. He has failed to convert crucial chances, having scored only 13 goals from his 48 appearances.
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While Babel advocates for retaining Diaz, the decision to potentially sell the star winger could indeed serve Liverpool’s broader objectives, particularly amidst the restructuring under new manager Arne Slot. By leveraging the funds from Diaz’s sale, Liverpool could facilitate necessary changes and bolster areas requiring reinforcement to align with Slot’s vision for the team.
