Gary Neville admitted that he felt “depressed” while watching Liverpool on Tuesday night. Perhaps not surprising, given his loyalty to Manchester United, who lost 4-0 at Anfield.
However, the result was not described as the cause of his unhappiness. Instead, the Sky Sports expert blamed Luis Diaz for his immediate success after moving to English shores.
The Colombian striker joined FC Porto in January, but has already established himself as a force in Merseyside. He scored the first goal against United and about an hour later registered an assist.
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“Honestly, it’s completely depressing,” Neville said. “Oh God, what a player he is. His perseverance, his skills, his pace, his struggle, his spirit, everything. He doesn’t cost much again. They found another one.”
Liverpool continue to gather talented players – especially strikers – from neglected places and they easily fit into the plans of Jurgen Klopp without any problems. The Reds make the transfer market look easy.
This is different from what Neville witnessed at Old Trafford. His favorite club has spent huge sums on big players over the years, only to find it difficult once they are on the field.
Although they received the signatures of Cristiano Ronaldo, Jaden Sancho and Rafael Varane last summer, Liverpool’s historic rivals appear to have deteriorated this season.
This week, Ralph Rangnik said United could eventually invest in up to 10 new players this summer, which embodies their current problems when it comes to team planning.
Liverpool, by contrast, managed to take on foreign talent – who doesn’t even speak the same language as his head coach – in the middle of the season before allowing him to thrive once on the pitch.
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One of the main reasons for Diaz’s shape is Klopp’s system. The German coach has preferred 4-3-3 since his appointment in 2015 and this has allowed the club to determine exactly what it needs when recruiting.
The well-established system is a haven for broad strikers who tend to cut inside and score goals, and Diaz is just that after finding the net 14 times in the Portuguese Premier League this season before leaving in the winter months.
Crucially, Porto also prefers broad strikers this season. Sergio Conseikao has used 4-3-3 as well as 4-4-2, with Diaz simply being able to play normally after arriving in Liverpool and without having to learn too many new moves.
A few years ago, Fabinho was slowly introduced into the battle after signing with AS Monaco. His situation was different, as the Brazilian was forced to learn a whole new position, acting as part of midfield two in France.
Diaz did not have to go through such training. Instead, Klopp allowed him to play largely on instinct and this was not a problem due to the fact that he is naturally suitable for Liverpool’s 4-3-3. It is fast, technical, direct and intensive and sets all the necessary fields.
“At first I think he’d rather tell me what I’ve done so far,” Diaz said when asked how Klopp had managed it so far. “He was trying to tell me it was about doing what I was used to. He wanted me to know that I just had to try to keep doing more of the same thing.
Liverpool are not just targeting good players, they are chasing players who will have a specific role in the team and within the system. New things can be learned from new additions – like Fabinho – but those who don’t have to change too much can start contributing right away.
In less than three months at the club, the 25-year-old striker has already presented himself as an elite threat. Imagine what he will do after his feet are under the table.
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