Luis Diaz makes CRUCIAL contribution to continue INCREDIBLE form

It’s been a great start to the season for Luis Diaz under new boss Arne Slot at Liverpool.

The 27-year-old scored three times in the Reds’ opening three Premier League matches, adding an assist, as Liverpool began the campaign with a 100 per cent record.

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Diaz was on target twice in the club’s last match, a superb 3-0 win over Manchester United at Old Trafford, equalling a record previously set by Mo Salah.

Thanks to the guidance of Arne Slot, the signs have been highly encouraging for a player who only scored eight Premier League goals in the whole of last season, amid reported interest from Barcelona this summer.

After Diaz’s fine start to the campaign, there were suggestions that the wide man could quickly earn a new deal, although it’s been denied that the Reds are looking to open contract talks at this time.

Diaz delivers for Colombia

His good start to the season has continued though – after winning at Manchester United, Diaz jetted back to his homeland of Colombia ahead of two important World Cup qualifiers this week.

While Europe’s World Cup qualifiers don’t start until March, South American qualifiers began fully 12 months ago, with the 10 CONMEBOL nations once more going into one big group to decide who makes it to the final tournament in 2026.

The 2026 World Cup is expanding from 32 to 48 teams, so this time around South America will have six automatic qualifiers, plus an intercontinental play-off place for whoever finishes seventh.

RECORD DATE NOT STATED Copa America USA 2024 Colombia vs Panama – Quarter-final Luis Diaz celebrates his goal 3-0 of Colombia during the CONMEBOL Copa America 2024 Quarter-final match between Colombia and Panama, at State Farm Stadium, on July 06, 2024 in Glendale, Arizona, United States. GLENDALE ARIZONA UNITED STATES PUBLICATIONxNOTxINxMEXxCHNxRUS Copyright: xDavidxLeahx 20240706175415_CA_QF_2024_COL_PAN_DIAZ208

Colombia made a strong start to qualifying, going unbeaten in their first six matches, albeit three of those games ended in draws. Diaz scored twice in a 2-1 win over Brazil last November, before helping his nation to the final of Copa America this summer.

World Cup qualifying has now resumed, with Colombia travelling to Peru, who were yet to win in six matches.

That looked like it might be about to change when Alexander Callens put Peru 1-0 up in Lima with only 22 minutes to go.

Diaz though rescued Colombia in the 82nd minute, heading home from close range after a corner had been flicked on, to maintain his country’s unbeaten record, and keep them well on course for the World Cup. They now host Alexis Mac Allister’s Argentina on Tuesday.

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