Noel Whelan has heaped praise on Liverpool for signing Luis Diaz, who could be viewed as a potential long-term successor to Sadio Mane.
After a quiet window, Liverpool have replicated their style from the summer window by making just one senior addition to the squad. Fans called for the club to make necessary signings back in June, but the Reds only brought in Ibrahima Konate as their major arrival.
This winter, there have been talks of signing a new wide attacker, especially since the club missed the services of Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah, who remain away at the Africa Cup of Nations. Jurgen Klopp was also chasing Raphinha for some time, which indicated the club’s need for a similar player.
Liverpool entered the chase for Luis Diaz late in this window and hijacked Tottenham’s efforts to sign the Colombian. While Spurs were left disappointed and are now looking at Dejan Kulusevski as an alternative option, the Reds have now signed their primary target.
Diaz is coming to the club on the back of a great season so far with FC Porto. The Colombian has managed to score 16 goals and provide 6 assists in all competition this season, which is tremendous considering his regular starting position on the wide side of midfield.
We have completed the signing of Luis Diaz from FC Porto, subject to the successful granting of a work permit and international clearance ✍️? #VamosLuis
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) January 30, 2022
Noel Whelan has now suggested Diaz could be a potential successor to Sadio Mane, who will enter the final year of his contract in the summer. Whelan has praised Liverpool for their shrewd business tactics and told Football Insider why the Colombian could be a success at Anfield.
Whelan said, “They don’t go out there and buy players just off the back of other clubs talking to them. They go out there to see if they fit the right credentials of the style of play. It’s very much like a Diogo Jota. They’ve got to have those footballing necessities: the way they play, the style of play. I’m sure that they’ve done their homework on him. Like Jota, a brilliant fit for Liverpool.”
“I’m sure they’ve looked at him and gone: ‘Yeah, he can play anywhere across the front three. Even in a number 10 role if need be.’ You need that competition and cover for players like Mane. We’re seeing it now with the African Cup of Nations, you need strength in depth in those areas, and he could replace him down the line. “They’re big players to Liverpool. Right now, that makes sense. It really does make sense.”
It remains to be seen if Diaz will be a resounding success for Liverpool once he finally arrives at Anfield. But from the looks of things, the Colombian’s signing seems to be a shrewd piece of business from Liverpool.
