Liverpool had made a flying start to the 2025/26 season with five straight Premier League wins which triggered major fan optimism over the Reds defending their league title.
However, the picture has changed drastically in recent weeks, after Crystal Palace snatched a late winner to hand Arne Slot his first defeat of the campaign on September 27.
That was followed by a 1-0 Champions League defeat at Galatasaray, and they were undone this weekend by Chelsea as substitute Estevao Willian netted a late winner to secured a 2-1 home win at Stamford Bridge.
Liverpool are lacking ruthlessness in attack, after scoring just once from four big chances created up against old rivals Chelsea.
Following the defeat, former Reds forward Daniel Sturridge highlighted the key missing factor in Slot’s squad.
“Luis Diaz is a massive miss for me,” the former striker told Sky Sports.
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“When we look at Liverpool last year and how they pressed, I think he was arguably the one who would set the press in the front three. Szoboszlai in midfield was that person, but for me Luis Diaz, how tenacious he is on the ball, hungry to get the ball back for his team, interceptions, he brought something to Liverpool that they’re missing.”
“Isak, Ekitike, Wirtz, I’m not saying they don’t work hard, we can’t question Wirtz’s work rate or Isak and Ekitike’s quality. But they’re attack-minded players. I think Diaz would sacrifice himself a bit more defensively.
“That’s the one thing they have to figure out in attack, who’s going to give themselves up a little bit and say I’m maybe not searching for the numbers? There always has to be one guy in a front three who is not stats hungry.
“It’s important to understand which one is going to be our workhorse, which one is going to be our guy who we let do what he wants to do, and which one is going to be a hybrid. Right now I’m not sure the manager quite knows what he’s going to do with that.”
Luis Diaz’s terrific start at Bayern Munich
Diaz was Liverpool’s biggest sale this summer as he moved to Bayern Munich for a reported transfer fee of €75 m [£65m/$88m], plus add-ons.
Initially there was some scepticism in Bavaria over the fee paid out, considering his age and contract cost, but the Colombian has won fans over with his exceptional performances so far.
The 28-year-old has already netted six goals and laid on four assists in his first 10 appearances in Munich, as has earnt real praise for his relentless pressing, tracking back and work ethic.
Diaz looks like an ideal fit in Vincent Kompany’s system, as Bayern Munich have won all of their first 10 games this season across competitions, and the Colombian has played a major role.
As for Liverpool, Slot’s team have only dropped to second place in the Premier League, and it’s still early days in the new season.
However, in matches against Galatasaray and Chelsea, Slot missed someone with Diaz’s guile and tenacity in attack to make things happen.
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