One game now remains of Liverpool’s season before the curtain comes down on another interesting campaign.
It has certainly been a better year than Reds fans might have anticipated. However, failure to add a second trophy to February’s Carabao Cup win remains a disappointment.
Of course, it’s a season that will always mainly be remembered as Jurgen Klopp’s last as Liverpool manager.
But as doubt surrounds the immediate futures of a number of other, key players, the boss may yet be joined in his exit by some more big names.
In that spirit, journalist David Ornstein has been attempting to shed light on something ‘unusual’ going on with one member of Klopp’s first-team squad.
David Ornstein highlights Luis Diaz situation
The players Liverpool fans are really concerned could leave number around four. After news of Saudi Arabian interest broke this week, the biggest worry will be over Alisson Becker.
With Alisson tied down to a contract until 2027 though, it doesn’t feel likely that he’ll be leaving Anfield this summer.
The same can’t quite be said for Virgil van Dijk, Mohmed Salah and Trent Alexander-Arnold. All three have contract now entering their final year and it remains to be seen which direction the trio go in.
According to Ornstein though, there is another contract saga that is turning out to be ‘one to watch’ for Liverpool fans; that of Luis Diaz. Diaz has been heavily linked with a move to Barcelona recently and in a Q&A with The Athletic, Ornstein was asked to add some context to those reports.
“I have no information on this reported interest in Diaz, Brandon,” replies the journalist. “Never say never but, given Barca’s financial position, I would be very surprised if they could afford the level of fee Liverpool would demand and meet the Colombian’s salary expectations.
“Liverpool are not looking to sell Diaz – he is 27, under contract until 2027 and a really important member of their squad.
“What we don’t know for certain is his intentions. It is quite unusual for such a key player at Anfield to be two-and-a-half years into their deal and not have seen their terms improved/extended. Equally there is a lot going on at Liverpool right now and the contract situations of Salah, Van Dijk and Alexander-Arnold are of more immediate concern. Clearly this is one to watch, although that certainly does not mean he will be leaving.”
Will Luis Diaz sign a new Liverpool contract
Perhaps it is unusual for a key player not to be in contract discussions at Diaz’s juncture in his Liverpool career, but we don’t think it should be.
In the past, when the Reds have been handing out deals, the players in question have often been utterly indispensable. In Diaz’s case, we’re not sure that he fits into that category.
The Colombian has been a decent signing for £50m and at points he has been brilliant. But with interest from Barca and reportedly PSG too, it also feels like Liverpool wouldn’t suffer too much by selling him.
It’s also worth pointing out that there are still three years to go on Diaz’s deal. Unusual or not, that is still a considerable amount of time.
We’d suggest that if Liverpool do want to hand Lucho a new contract, they’ve got plenty of time in which to do it. In regard to any summer interest, they’re in a strong position. One to watch maybe, but not one to be overly worried about.