Who is Luis Diaz? The Porto wing-wizard wanted by Liverpool

Francisco Conceiçao, son of FC Porto head coach Sergio, became a social media sensation over the weekend. The teenager came off the bench to net the winning goal, his first for the Dragoes, in their hard-fought 3-2 win at Estoril. 

Estoril have proven to be no pushovers this season and remain in the hunt for a European finish, despite a run of just one win in eight, and were a little over five minutes from a major upset in Liga NOS as they led Porto 2-1 up until the 84th minute. That was until Luis Diaz took matters into his own hands. 

The Colombian drew Porto level, shifting onto his left and firing under Thiago Rodrigues from close range and then turned provider for Conceiçao. Diaz latched onto a long ball down the Porto left and got the better of Bruno Lourenço before driving a low cross for Conceiçao to score. The 19-year-old may have bagged the winning goal for the title contenders, but victory on Saturday marked another stand out display for Diaz. 

Diaz has now won more WhoScored man of the match awards (5) than any other player in Liga NOS this season, while a rating of 7.94 is also the best in the division. Only the experienced Rafa (20) has had a direct hand in more goals than Diaz (17) in Portugal's top tier and after a so-so 2020/21, the 24-year-old has been taking the league by storm. 

Of course, Diaz's performances haven't gone unnoticed with Premier League sides showing an interest in the Colombia international. Liverpool have been heavily linked with a move for Diaz, while Premier League rivals Tottenham are believed to have submitted a £50m bid for the winger, an offer rejected by Porto, who would reportedly be willing to sell for a fee closer to his rumoured £66m release clause. 

Often starting from the left, Diaz will routinely cut inside onto his right to go for goal, noted in that seven of his 13 league goals this season have come with his right foot. It was this approach that helped him finish Copa America 2021 with four goals to help Colombia to third in Brazil, that level with Lionel Messi in the race for the competition's Golden Boot, and since his individual success with his national team, Diaz's stock has continued to soar. 

While Diaz does have just four league assists to his name from his 16 league outings this season, that says more about his teammates' poor finishing than the player himself. Only Lincoln (36) and Ricardo Horta (35) have made more key passes than Diaz (34) in Liga NOS this season, while 41 successful dribbles is also the third best in the division. 

A 61.2% dribble success rate is the 12th best in Portugal of the 63 players to have attempted 25 or more dribbles this season, a return that can be improved upon, but still respectable nonetheless. Given Diaz's goal and chances created return, the winger boasts a fine end product when he does beat a man, which has helped thrust him into the spotlight. 

However, in the modern game, attackers are also tasked with defending from the front, pressing opponents to force errors and create chances for teammates. Liverpool, for example, have won possession in the attacking third 138 times, at least 22 times more than any other Premier League team, with Jurgen Klopp demanding his players hassle defenders and midfielders in order to win the ball and quickly set opponents on the backfoot when they feel their most secure. 

It's a key reason why Liverpool have scored 52 league goals this season; only Manchester City (53) have bagged more in England's top tier. Diaz, though, is one who could certainly abide by Klopp's high pressing demands. Only five players have won possession in the attacking third more times than Diaz (15) in Liga NOS this season. For context, Porto teammate Otavio (20) leads this metric. 

"Luis Diaz is an excellent player, he does a lot of work for the defence, he did it in the goals of Copa America," Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson has previously said of the Colombian, and the Brazilian's praise of Diaz both on and off the ball will certainly sit well with Klopp. In addition, the Reds will have witnessed his potential up close and personal with Porto facing off against Liverpool in Group B of the Champions League. 

Granted, Diaz flattered to deceive in both matches against the Premier League title contenders, but across the two games, the winger still made five dribbles, three key passes and four tackles and interceptions combined. It was a glimpse of his talent and showcased his quality in the final third with the ball at his feet, and while out of possession. 

Porto's demands that interested parties pay close to his release clause to acquire his services is not without reason considering his flying form for the Portuguese powerhouse. Caution should be applied before spending big on a player who, in his previous two seasons had struggled for consistency and game time, but having leapfrogged Jesus Corona in the pecking order, a change in personnel that saw Otavio switch predominantly from the left flank to the right, Diaz has made the most of his opportunity to nail down a regular spot on the Porto wing and it surely won't be long before he secures a high profile, big money move.