20 July 2023 , 11:55
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Liverpool are braced for further exits from their first-team squad this summer but their stance on Luis Diaz appears to be unequivocal that he is not for sale.
Jurgen Klopp is a huge admirer of the Colombian forward and the club’s decision to hand him the iconic No.7 shirt number – following James Milner’s exit – this summer to replace No.23 is an indicator into how central he is to the Reds plans.
Liverpool are bracing themselves to receive a bid from Saudi Pro League giants Al-Hilal for Diaz, who has starred for Klopp’s side since his arrival at the club from Porto in January 2022. The interest comes amid likely exits for midfield duo Fabinho and Jordan Henderson to Saudi Arabia.
Klopp have plentiful options up front in Cody Gakpo, Diogo Jota, Darwin Nunez, Mohamed Salah and Diaz – alongside the attack-minded midfield additions of Alexis MacAllister and Dominik Szoboszlai. However, the club have plentiful squad requirements in other areas and will not want additional needs.
Liverpool’s move to make Diaz their No.7 is an indication that they believe he can join club legends such as Billy Liddell, Kevin Keegan, Kenny Dalglish and Luis Suarez, who also donned that shirt number at Anfield.
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Others have also used the squad number in the Premier League era including Nigel Clough, Steve McManaman, Vladimir Smicer, Harry Kewell and Robbie Keane. Milner was the latest incumbent, prior to his exit to Brighton over the summer.
Diaz has worn No.7 for Colombia and has taken the shirt at Liverpool (AFP via Getty Images)Have Your Say! What players should Liverpool look to sign this summer? Tell us what you think here.
Milner’s departure added to those of Naby Keita, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Roberto Firmino – all as free agents, with the latter also moving to Saudi Arabia. The impending exits of midfield stalwarts Fabinho and Henderson further stretch the squad at Klopp’s disposal.
Saudi giants Al-Hilal have already added Wolves captain Ruben Neves and Lazio star Sergej Milinkovic-Savic to their squad this summer, with Portuguese outlet Record outlining how Diaz is the latest star on their radar – even if Liverpool will resist any move.
Diaz suffered an injury-hit campaign last season but is an important player for the Reds (PA)The worry for Liverpool is that the player will be tempted to make the switch, which is likely to be heavily incentivized financially. The club’s pre-emptive move to hand Diaz the No.7 is a reflection of his upgraded status in the dressing room – heightened by the summer exit of Firmino.
Klopp and Liverpool’s ‘to do’ list over summer is already lengthy with at least two more central midfielders, a right-back and central defender required – with no new additions so far in the forward line. Any potential loss of Diaz is a fresh headache that they can ill-afford.