The departure of Luis Diaz from Liverpool has left a void that many haven’t fully acknowledged, according to club legend Robbie Fowler. The speed of the transfer itself suggested a player eager for a new challenge, but Fowler believes the impact on Liverpool’s attacking prowess has been significant.
Diaz possessed a unique ability to dismantle tightly packed defenses, a skill Liverpool have noticeably lacked during challenging matches. Opponents content to sit deep and absorb pressure found Liverpool struggling to create clear-cut opportunities, highlighting the Colombian’s absence.
Fowler points to Liverpool’s sometimes labored attempts to break down stubborn opposition, suggesting Diaz’s creativity and direct running were crucial in unlocking those defenses. His ability to change a game with a moment of brilliance is something the team has clearly missed.
The story doesn’t end with Diaz. Another player who moved on last summer, academy graduate Tyler Morton, is now thriving at Lyon after a difficult start in France. He admitted to a lack of trust from the Liverpool manager, a sentiment that fueled his decision to seek playing time elsewhere.
Despite limited opportunities under the previous regime, Fowler remains convinced of Morton’s potential. He acknowledges the manager’s decisions, but believes the young midfielder has the quality to succeed at the highest level, and potentially return to haunt his former club.
Fowler emphasizes that Morton’s lack of game time wasn’t necessarily a reflection of poor performance, but rather a mismatch between his playing style and the manager’s tactical preferences. He hopes Morton will flourish and ultimately demonstrate the value Liverpool overlooked.
As a product of the Liverpool academy himself, Fowler admits to a natural bias towards homegrown talent. He genuinely wants to see Morton succeed, believing every player who rises through the ranks deserves a chance to prove their worth and potentially force a reevaluation of past decisions.
The departures of both Diaz and Morton, while perhaps strategically sound at the time, now appear to have created vulnerabilities within the Liverpool squad. Their successes elsewhere serve as a reminder of the talent that once graced Anfield, and the potential that remains untapped.
