Liverpool had clear Luis Diaz transfer stance amid failed Anthony Gordon move

Liverpool forward Luis Diaz has vindicated the Reds transfer approach this summer when they opted not to sign Anthony Gordon from Newcastle United.

Gordon was the Magpies player of the season last term, but looked to be available with Newcastle battling PSR concerns. A swap deal was proposed by Newcastle that would have seen Jarrell Quansah and Gordon swap clubs, with Liverpool forking over some money too to help alleviate the Magpies concerns.

However, the Reds did not want to lose Quansah, which scuppered initial talks. There were rumours a deal had been reignited weeks later with Joe Gomez taking Quansah's place in the proposed swap, but ultimately nothing came of it.

• READ MORE: Anthony Gordon discussed Liverpool transfer with teammates before ruthless decision

• READ MORE: Anthony Gordon feels brunt of Newcastle fans' frustrations after failed Liverpool move

Newcastle managed to solve their PSR issues by selling Elliot Anderson and Yankuba Minteh to Nottingham Forest and Brighton & Hove Albion, while Liverpool only entered the market to improve their squad for this season with the addition of Italian international Federico Chiesa.

Clearly, interest in Gordon and Chiesa's signing showed Liverpool were interested in adding another option to their already stacked frontline. With the former operating best off the left, Gordon's arrival would potentially have made things quite difficult for new Reds boss Arne Slot to manage, especially with Liverpool already having a plan to get the best form out of Diaz.

According to The Athletic, one of the main reasons the Reds did not sign Gordon last summer was due to Liverpool believing Slot could, with his track record of improving players, get the best out of Diaz this term. The Colombian had been linked with a move to Barcelona this past summer, but it Liverpool were adamant they wanted to keep the 27-year-old.

So far, that decision has been vindicated. Gordon has looked way off the pace in a sluggish Newcastle side this term, while Diaz has scored five goals in five Premier League games this season. Had it not been for the ridiculous performances of Manchester City star Erling Haaland in August, Diaz would almost certainly have won Premier League player of the month.

"Luis looks hungrier to score goals," said Alexander-Arnold after Liverpool's 3-0 win over Bournemouth. "Maybe getting new players kind of lights a fire under you to make sure you’re working hard for your spot. That’s what the manager has told us. He’s getting himself into the right areas and he’s making the right decisions."

And it also now looks as though Gordon's chances of moving to Anfield, which would see him join the club he supported during his childhood, could now be over, at least in the short-term. The 23-year-old is reportedly close to inking a new long-term deal on Tyneside which would see him receive a substantial pay rise according to the Mail.

Liverpool.com says: "Diaz is in red hot form right now and looks to be one of Liverpool's first names on their team sheet - an impressive feat given the quality of their squad.

"And Liverpool's plan to try and get the best out of Diaz, which has so far been vindicated, also proves that coaching is far more important than making lots of big money signings."