Arne Slot Fires Back at Critics, Defends Liverpool's Controversial Sale Decision
Liverpool boss Arne Slot acknowledged his team has felt the absence of Luis Díaz's attacking contributions, though he maintains the Colombian winger has been properly replaced.
The Merseyside club has netted 20 fewer Premier League goals compared to the same period last campaign, with their offensive struggles evident as they sit sixth in the standings—a massive 17 points adrift of table-toppers Arsenal.
"You inevitably miss quality footballers," Slot commented when questioned about Díaz's departure before Wednesday's fixture at Sunderland. "His contribution was vital for us last term, though he wasn't alone in that regard. Several players were key to our achievements. However, I believe we've brought in excellent replacements as well.
"Perhaps it's more appropriate to ask whether we'd be having this discussion if Alexander [Isak] had remained healthy?"
Isak has featured in only 16 matches for Liverpool, finding the net twice in 10 Premier League appearances, while Díaz has flourished at his new home Bayern Munich, tallying 18 goals and 14 assists across 30 games in all competitions—second only to Harry Kane's output.
Slot Argues Diaz Departure a Sign of Good Business
Slot Argues Diaz Departure a Sign of Good Business
Liverpool offloaded Díaz to Bayern for a substantial profit, securing a €75 million (£65.5 million, $88 million) bid from the German powerhouse. Slot emphasized that the transaction exemplified "how this organization operates," claiming the proposal was impossible to decline.
"When this institution receives such an offer for a 28-year-old player, the club, given its commitment to financial sustainability, opts to sell, and we stand apart in the Premier League, particularly among the elite clubs, in this approach.
"That's precisely why it's remarkable that we've accomplished what we have in recent years with this philosophy. He's performing excellently at Bayern, which doesn't surprise me at all."
Diaz's production at Bayern already surpasses his previous season's numbers at Anfield—both domestically and across all tournaments—while Isak, acquired with funds from Díaz's sale, managed 23 Premier League strikes for Newcastle United—a tally he won't approach in 2025–26 due to his current leg fracture.
Salah Is Liverpool's Main Problem—But Ekitiké Is Flying
Salah Is Liverpool's Main Problem—But Ekitiké Is Flying
Liverpool's achievements in 2024–25 stemmed from goals being distributed throughout the squad. Seven players reached five or more league strikes, but only Hugo Ekitiké and Cody Gakpo have achieved this benchmark this campaign.
The significant shortfall for Liverpool has been Mohamed Salah's goal drought, despite being a four-time Premier League Golden Boot champion. He's managed just four league goals this season and only six in total since signing his contract extension in April—before agreeing to those new terms, Salah had netted 27 times over seven months.
A bright spot for Liverpool has been summer signing Ekitiké's outstanding performances. Questions surrounded how Slot would utilize the French striker—especially following Isak's record-breaking £125 million move—but he's assumed the primary attacking role, scoring 15 goals across all competitions.
His partnership with Florian Wirtz has been especially noteworthy in recent matches, and he's well-positioned to feature prominently for Didier Deschamps' France squad at the 2026 World Cup, jointly hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada, beginning June 11.