How do Liverpool Replace Luis Diaz?
The forward is set to join Bayern Munich in a deal worth £65million.
Luis Diaz to Bayern Munich: A Tough Exit
It’s always difficult to say goodbye to a player who made watching the football that bit more exciting. Luis Diaz embodied the unpredictable, the creative, the joy of football that can’t be measured by stats alone. His departure to Bayern Munich for £65 million is one of those moments that leaves a lingering mix of pride and frustration. For Liverpool, losing a player of Diaz’s calibre is a bit gutting, but it’s also a move that makes a lot of sense.
Luis Diaz: A Cult Hero of Recent Times
Diaz arrived at Liverpool as a relatively unknown quantity and quickly became a fan favourite. He offered something different, something unpredictable. In an era where system players dominate, Diaz did his own thing. His quick feet, fearless dribbling and ability to glide past defenders made him box office viewing. He was a true entertainer. And crucially, he delivered.
In three and a half seasons on Merseyside, Diaz helped Liverpool win the Premier League, two Carabao Cups and an FA Cup. He played his part during the tail end of the Klopp era and provided a spark during Arne Slot’s title-winning debut season. He had a habit of turning up in big moments and while consistency was sometimes an issue, his highs were dizzying.
There is something special about a winger who plays with that much freedom. Players like Diaz are becoming rare, almost a dying breed in the modern game.
£65 Million Makes Sense for All Parties
Football sentiment aside, this is a smart sale for Liverpool. Diaz is 28 years old and had two years left on his contract. While he remained a valuable part of the squad, his form wavered and the value was there to be taken. At this point in his career, that resale value was only going to drop. Getting £65 million from Bayern Munich is strong business. For Bayern, it’s a marquee signing. For Diaz, it is a fresh challenge. And for Liverpool, it’s an opportunity to reshape the squad under Slot.
Selling players at the right time has always been a strength for top clubs. Liverpool have seen this before. From Philippe Coutinho to Sadio Mane, the cycle of evolution never stops. Diaz leaves with everyone’s respect intact. It’s a sensible exit, even if it stings emotionally.
Finding the Next Left-Sided Spark
Now attention turns to how Liverpool replace Diaz, and it may not be in the most obvious way. The club’s main focus appears to be a record-breaking move for Newcastle striker Alexander Isak, rather than a direct left-sided winger. Isak would be a transformative addition, bringing height, skill and presence to the front line and a clinical nature that this side has lacked for years. A formal bid is expected soon and there’s growing optimism around the deal.
In terms of wide players, several names have been linked but none are close. Rodrygo of Real Madrid has been mentioned, but the financial side of that transfer is huge and the player is reportedly keen to stay in Spain. Malick Fofana is another option. The 20-year-old Marseille winger is full of potential and carries a price tag around £40 million, but that feels like a gamble at this stage. Spending that kind of money on a project player after losing Diaz doesn’t quite sit right.
Anthony Gordon remains loosely linked after Liverpool’s interest last summer, but nothing serious has developed. The truth is, there is no clear answer yet, and Liverpool might decide to play it differently.
No Rush to Replace Diaz?
Cody Gakpo had a more consistent campaign than Diaz last season and could be trusted with greater responsibility. He has the ability to make that left-side his own, but he still needs competition. There are also high hopes for Rio Ngumoha. At just 16, he has been a standout in pre-season and is clearly part of the long-term plan. While he’s not ready to replace Diaz immediately, he is a player Liverpool believe in.
Arne Slot’s tactical ideas could further shape how Liverpool approach the post-Diaz era. With new signings Jeremie Frimpong and Milos Kerkez offering width and pace from full-back, there’s a growing sense that the traditional winger role might evolve. Slot has shown signs of deploying a system that features two central creative players behind the striker, often referred to as 'double tens'. In that structure, wide players drift infield and the attacking width comes from full-backs.
This opens up different options. Mohamed Salah, who has thrived centrally before, could partner Isak or Ekitike up front. Getting Salah in those dominating positions was crucial to his record-breaking season last year and this could repeat that trick. Dominik Szoboszlai and Florian Wirtz are natural fits as those two central creative outlets. Both offer the dynamism, ball progression and work-rate needed in that system. With Alexis Mac Allister and Ryan Gravenberch providing balance in midfield, Liverpool look well set to support this tactical tweak.
This system, while unconventional, could extract the best from Liverpool’s current squad. It removes the immediate pressure to find a like-for-like Diaz replacement and instead focuses on system-based solutions. Slot has already trialled something similar in key games, including last season’s 2-0 win over Manchester City at the Etihad, a result that shaped Liverpool’s title-winning run.
Looking Ahead
Losing Luis Diaz hurts a bit. He was a shining light during some transitional years and his departure to Bayern Munich is the end of a mini-era. But when you strip away the emotion, £65 million for a 28-year-old with two years left on his contract is clever business.
Liverpool now have the chance to reshape their attack in ways that reflect Slot’s evolving system. Whether through the arrival of Alexander Isak, the growth of Gakpo and Ngumoha, or a new tactical shape built around central creators and marauding full-backs, there is no shortage of possibilities.
The Luis Diaz chapter at Liverpool was thrilling and entertaining. But all good stories end. And if you are going to sell, this is how you do it — with respect, with value, and with eyes firmly on the future.