Leeds wanted to sign Luis Diaz before he joined Liverpool, says Downing

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Liverpool signed winger Luis Diaz from Porto during the January transfer window for a fee of £45 million, according to Sky Sports.

A former Reds wideman, Stewart Downing, told Goal that Leeds United were among the clubs interest in Diaz, who has hit the ground running.

What a prospect it would have been to have Raphinha on one side and Diaz on the other, but the Colombian joined Liverpool’s bid for success on four fronts.

“Diaz has been brilliant. The first thing I look at when a player comes to the Premier League is the physicality. How do they handle all that? But he looks like he likes it. He gets stuck in, he bounces straight back up, he goes again,” said Downing.

“Suarez was a bit like that. He had all the ability in the world, but he had that burning desire as well, never to give up. I look at Diaz and I see that same desire. “He’s hit the ground running. It helps that the team is winning and he has unbelievable players around him.

“He looks like he’s been here for years. It says a lot about him that he’s been able to do that. A lot of clubs were chasing Diaz – I know Everton, Spurs, Leeds were all looking – but it couldn’t have turned out better for him, I don’t think. He’s got the best move and Liverpool have got a great player.

“Credit to him for coming and backing himself. A lot of players might have wondered if they’d play, but Diaz, just like Jota, has backed himself and look at the impact those two have had.”

At £45 million, Diaz would have been Leeds’ record signing, overtaking Rodrigo, who we are still waiting to see the best of in England.

Diaz has had no such adjustment issues and he is already a crucial part of Liverpool’s charge for the quadruple.

It has never been done before and it is a hard, hard ask but the only way to do it is by having a strong squad which can be rotated.