Luis Diaz shone for Liverpool last night in a central false nine role, he scored a hat-trick to send the Reds top of the Champions League league standings.
Embed from Getty ImagesArne Slot made the bold decision to drop Darwin Nunez for last night’s Champions League match, playing winger Diaz through the middle instead with Cody Gakpo and Mohamed Salah either side of him.
After a goalless first half where all threat from the home side was nullified, it seemed as though Slot may have overthought his tactics. After all, Diaz is a left winger and the obvious option in Darwin Nunez was readily available.
However, after the interval, Diaz scored a hat-trick, leaving Xabi Alonso shell shocked upon his return to Anfield. Cody Gakpo’s well timed header added insult to injury in a 4-0 thrashing over last season’s Bundesliga champions.
Embed from Getty ImagesAlthough Diaz was involved in nine attacking sequences during the game, he wasn’t very busy in the final third. Throughout the 90 minutes, he had 35 touches, only six of which we in Leverkusen’s penalty area.
Those 35 touches were also the least out of any outfield player to play the full 90 minutes.
The Colombian was efficiency personified, scoring all of his shots on target. He was the key to the Reds’ rampant display.
This was the first time this season Diaz has ever played in a central false nine role. Previously, Diaz has exclusively played on the left wing, with Darwin Nunez or Diogo Jota leading the line for the Reds.
Embed from Getty ImagesHowever, after last night’s performance against Leverkusen who went unbeaten in the Bundesliga last season, Diaz has given Slot something to think about in regards to his starting centre forward.
The 27 year old has scored nine goals in 15 matches in all competitions this campaign, from an xG of 4.82.
Liverpool as a whole were far more threatening in the second half compared to the first, registering 3.48 xG in the second period after just 0.64 in the first half.
Liverpool are now top of the Champions League league standings, with 12 points after winning all four matches so far.
Embed from Getty ImagesWritten by Isabelle Newnham
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