Liverpool star fast becoming ‘next Dias’ at Anfield

If Liverpool were sent to the London Stadium today, calls for manager Arne Slott to be sacked would have gone up a few decibels. It was probably louder than the noise made at Anfield after back-to-back defeats against PSV Eindhoven and Nottingham Forest.

However, in the Premier League, Liverpool won the long-awaited three points for the struggling Redmen thanks to the performances of Alexander Isaac and Cody Gakpo, defeating the Hammers 2-0.

Still, the Merseyside side has much to improve this term, lacking quite the balance and belief of last year as Slott took over the throne in his first year in charge.

A lot has gone wrong and upcoming league games against Sunderland and Leeds United will determine whether a real crisis has been averted.

More is needed. While the likes of Florian Wirtz and Isak are starting to show signs of world-class quality, FSG must feel pretty disappointed in the decision to let Luis Diaz go and opt against bringing in an equivalent replacement for the Colombian winger.

Luis Diaz’s performance after leaving Liverpool

To be fair, Dias was due to enter the penultimate year of his contract with Liverpool, but there was no sign of a resolution. The Reds earned a healthy £66.5m.

But the 28-year-old’s stellar performances in Germany this season highlighted the dimension Slott has lost in the left channel. Additionally, let’s not forget that Diaz played a lot of football last year as a temporary number nine.

Bayern has scored many goals and is the dominant team in the Bundesliga. But Dias has also played well in the Champions League, so it’s fair to say who he’ll pick.

His prolificity has catapulted him to the top of the table, combining his athleticism and electric power with a newfound sharpness in front of goal.

This is a reminder that the grass isn’t always greener. Dias will have no regrets about his summer move, but Liverpool are desperately missing out on his speed, energy and powerful threat.

And now FSG are in danger of losing the next version of their versatile forward.

Liverpool star could become ‘the next Dias’

Liverpool did not opt ​​for a direct replacement for Dias this summer, hoping to protect Rio Ngmoja’s path to the first team from disruption.

However, Diaz is an elite player and cannot be easily replaced. Perhaps some of Liverpool’s persuasion regret the frustration leveled at him last season, given his strong clinical performance throughout the year.

History may repeat itself with Alexis Mac Allister. Prominent Liverpool fan John O’Sullivan has described him as “the next Dias”, with his performances this year being hounded by some quarters.

It’s true that the Argentine ‘superstar’, as pundit Joe Cole dubbed him, has not been in form this season, but he is one of the best midfielders in the Premier League and has been instrumental in the club’s success since joining from Brighton & Hove Albion in 2023.

Few people know the tricks of the midfield game better than Mac Allister. He is combative, creative and intelligent in his performance in the engine room. He’s more than just a steely lieutenant, he’s smart and knowledgeable, and that’s what sets him apart.

As the old saying goes, form is temporary. Mac Allister will no doubt bounce back, but if Liverpool end up on a rocky road through the 2025/26 season, the 26-year-old could be considered for sale next summer, although reports suggest sporting director Richard Hughes and club officials want him to stay.

It is clear that Mac Allister would be a success if sold to Germany or a La Liga superpower.

And, like Dias, Liverpool will come to regret their decision as they scramble to find a suitable replacement.