‘Luis Diaz could be back with a bang’
Paul Gorst: Having been arguably Liverpool’s best player in the early weeks of last season, the knee injury to Luis Diaz in October was a huge blow for both player and team. A six-month absence saw him unable to help as Jurgen Klopp’s men slipped further and further away from the summit.
By the time his April comeback arrived, following surgery in December, it was generally accepted that Liverpool wouldn’t see the best of the electric Colombian until next season. And with the pre-season schedule now almost upon us, it’s time for Diaz to get back to his best.
A full and uninterrupted summer period can see the new No.7 get back to those sort of displays we saw regularly during the early months of his move from Porto at the end of January in 2022. A fully-fit and firing Diaz can add a new dimension to an attacking department bursting with talent.
In truth, Diaz probably needs a big summer to properly bounce back from that injury nightmare of 22/23 and he will be raring to go, you suspect. His dribbling ability and tenacious mindset have to be backed up by more goal contributions this season.
Theo Squires: It was at the start of last year’s pre-season where the anti-Darwin Nunez brigade first emerged in rival fan-bases. A couple of misses against Manchester United and Crystal Palace, and onlookers declared in delight that Liverpool had signed an £85m dud.
A four-goal haul in a second half showing against RB Leipzig did little to silence the onlookers, who would continue to take great glee in the Uruguayan’s struggles at Anfield – completing overlooking how his highs have already made him an Anfield fan-favourite.
It admittedly wasn’t the easiest of seasons for Nunez as he he was shafted outwide and struggled with both the language and Jurgen Klopp’s demands after coming into an under-performing team. He’d also pick up niggling injuries, with that red card against Crystal Palace and postponed games ensuring he was playing catch-up from the off. Yet he still scored 15 goals.
Give the 24-year-old a full pre-season, with a first year in England under his belt, and this could be Nunez’s time to shine. He has repeatedly backed himself to repeat his second-season exploits with Benfica – when he scored 34 goals in all competitions – , which earned him a move to Anfield in the first place, with Liverpool. If he is to live up to such predictions, the hard work starts here.
Nunez’s talent is there for all to see, despite a rollercoaster first season with the Reds. If he can find rhythm, confidence, and goals in pre-season, there’s no reason why can he can’t go from strength-to-strength. Hungry to prove himself, no doubt, pre-season is his platform to silence the doubters once and for all. There will be no viral mocking of the Uruguayan this time.
‘Jota to pick up where he left off’
Keifer MacDonald: After his goals nearly fired Liverpool to an unprecedented quadruple a little over 12 months ago, Diogo Jota will be hoping he is able to make up for lost time this summer.