Leading the Premier League title race, Liverpool under Arne Slot are also preparing for the EFL Cup final against Newcastle United at Wembley next weekend.
With potential Champions League ambitions this season, it’s evident that Arne Slot’s first season in English football has been a resounding success, quickly adapting to the Premier League environment.
However, the upcoming summer transfer window could bring significant changes at Anfield. There are discussions about the Dutchman potentially selling key attacking players, including Luis Diaz.
The Latest on Luis Diaz’s Future at Anfield
While Darwin Nunez’s form for the Reds has been inconsistent, Diaz has consistently performed well for the team in recent weeks.
Despite his contributions of nine goals and four assists in the Premier League this season, including a recent assist to Nunez against Southampton, the former FC Porto winger might be leaving the club.
A reported £67m offer could tempt Liverpool to sell the 28-year-old, with clubs like Barcelona interested. Trent Alexander-Arnold’s future at Liverpool is also under discussion.
Should Liverpool lose Diaz, they may already have identified his ideal replacement.
Slot’s Diaz Replacement: Kingsley Coman
Although the transfer window is still some time away, Liverpool seem to be laying the groundwork for a significant signing.
According to Sky Sports Germany journalist Florian Plettenberg, Bayern Munich are open to letting French winger Kingsley Coman leave this summer. Liverpool have reportedly already contacted Bayern Munich and made an enquiry about Coman.
Julian Nagelsmann previously described Coman as ‘one of the best wingers in Europe’. He has had a successful career at Bayern, including scoring the winning goal in the 2021 Champions League final. Coman could seamlessly integrate into Liverpool’s team and effectively replace Diaz.
Coman boasts an impressive record of 131 goal contributions for Bayern. His explosive style on the left wing is even considered similar to Diaz, according to FBref’s player comparison tool.
| Coman vs Diaz since March 2024 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Stat – per 90 mins | Coman | Diaz |
| Total shots | 3.17 | 2.57 |
| Shot-creating actions | 6.22 | 5.04 |
| Attempted passes | 52.71 | 35.39 |
| Pass completion % | 84.1% | 84.7% |
| Progressive passes | 4.05 | 3.83 |
| Progressive carries | 4.81 | 4.50 |
| Successful take-ons | 2.76 | 2.33 |
| Touches in attacking penalty area | 6.86 | 6.81 |
| Progressive passes received | 15.95 | 10.66 |
| Stats by FBref | ||
The statistics indicate that Coman outperforms Diaz in several attacking metrics over the past year, including total shots and shot-creating actions, despite Coman starting only 11 Bundesliga games this season. This suggests he could be a valuable addition as both a starter and an impact substitute.
Reportedly available for around £29m, Kingsley Coman could be a smart acquisition for Liverpool as Arne Slot prepares for his second season, potentially reshaping his attacking options.
Vihaan Mehrotra