When Arne Slot stepped out at Turf Moor, his mood seemed heavy. Liverpool were fighting hard just to scrape past Burnley, while in Germany, former Red Luis Díaz was already making waves for Bayern Munich. The contrast couldn’t have been sharper.
This season marked a period of transition for Liverpool. With a new manager in place, familiar faces departed and new ones arrived as Slot set about building a side in his own image. Among the biggest exits was Díaz, the Colombian winger adored by the Kop for his flair, energy, and match-winning contributions. Yet in the summer, he accepted Bayern’s offer of a fresh challenge.
Back in England, Liverpool looked flat against Burnley. With Alexander Isak missing and Hugo Ekitike unable to make an impact, the game drifted into stoppage time. Only Mohamed Salah’s calm 95th-minute penalty rescued a 1–0 win. The focus was on the Egyptian’s heroics, but many fans couldn’t help noticing Díaz’s success abroad.
In Germany, Díaz hit the ground running. He scored three goals and provided two assists in his first three Bundesliga matches, becoming just the fourth Bayern player ever to score in each of his opening three league appearances. Colombian teammate Kevin Castaño summed it up by calling him an “animal,” a tribute to his drive and intensity.
For Liverpool supporters, his rise is bittersweet. Only months earlier, Díaz had enjoyed his best season at Anfield with 17 goals and 8 assists. Why let him go at his peak? The reasons were complex: the player’s desire for a new challenge, hesitation over a new contract, and Bayern’s promise of a central role.
Slot, meanwhile, knew the risk of losing such a talent but trusted others to fill the void. Cody Gakpo and Darwin Núñez were expected to lead the attack as the Dutchman stamped his authority on the team. Early results have been positive, with Liverpool unbeaten and showing resilience, though Díaz’s brilliance remains a lingering memory.
At Bayern, Díaz is thriving. With freedom, confidence, and support from Vincent Kompany, he has quickly become a fan favourite. His sharpness and fearless style have translated seamlessly to Bundesliga football.
Football often delivers these parallel stories — one decision, two different journeys. Liverpool continue to push forward under Slot, while Díaz enjoys the best football of his career in Munich. For Reds fans, the thought remains: every time Díaz scores, the “what ifs” echo back at Anfield.
