Luis Diaz response to being dropped against West Ham sums up Liverpool forward

Luis Diaz took no issue being dropped against West Ham just days after putting in a man-of-the-match display against Bournemouth.

The Colombian returned to the starting lineup for last weekend's 3-0 rout of the Cherries and bagged himself a quick-fire brace to help his side to victory, yet found himself back on the bench for Wednesday's visit of the Hammers in the Carabao Cup.

And despite producing such a magnificent start to the season with five goals and one assist in Liverpool's opening five Premier League games, the 27-year-old didn't even make it off the bench in his side's 5-1 victory.

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But this didn't seem to bother Diaz, with the former Porto star understanding of the fact that Arne Slot needs to rotate his players in order to keep their performance levels to the maximum for yet another demanding campaign.

Speaking to Sky Sports, Diaz offered the perfect response to being left out in midweek, summing up his character perfectly as he considers the bigger picture.

"It helps us maintain our level," he said. "We have very high-quality players. It's very healthy competition. Anyone who starts always gives their best and so do the substitutes. We have a very special squad. With so many games, I always say rotation is important."

Diaz had only been dropped to the bench on one previous occasion this season - the 3-1 victory away to AC Milan in the Champions League. His response was to score two goals in two first-half minutes against Bournemouth in the following game.

With the same happening once more for Wednesday's visit of West Ham, it can only be hoped that he produces a similar outcome when he inevitably returns to the starting lineup for this weekend's trip to Wolves as the Reds go in search of a fourth straight win in all competitions.

Diaz's electric start to the 2024-25 campaign has put him second in the Premier League scoring charts with five goals in as many games, falling only behind Erling Haaland, and sparked rumors of a contract extension that could run until 2029.

But with Cody Gakpo also competing for a place on the left of the front three, Diaz knows he is unlikely to start every game this season, with squad rotation and Liverpool's hectic schedule set to play a major part in team selection under Slot this season.

The Dutchman even acknowledged this in Friday's pre-match press conference, explaining how he plans to keep both Diaz and Gakpo happy, along with other forward players Mohamed Salah, Darwin Núñez, Federico Chiesa and Diogo Jota as they fight for three positions.

"That's the positive thing about playing so many games, that these players will always play a lot of games," Slot said. "I think they understand that they can't play every game unless it's absolutely necessary to keep them fit and sharp and ready to perform like they do.

"As long as they accept the situation as it is, and that's what they're doing at the moment because they have good numbers - and I see them smile a lot, as well - then that is a positive thing for us. I have to keep them alert and happy in the position they are in."