Virgil van Dijk agrees with Arne Slot over 'important' Luis Diaz role in Liverpool team

Virgil van Dijk has hailed Luis Diaz as an “extremely important” figure for Liverpool, after Arne Slot confirmed the Colombian is one of his key starters. The 27-year-old netted his maiden Reds hat-trick in the 4-0 midweek win over Bayer Leverkusen while playing as a central striker.

With Diogo Jota sidelined until after the upcoming international break, Diaz could be asked to reprise the role against Aston Villa on Saturday. The attacker started in the position ahead of natural number nine Darwin Nunez against Leverkusen, with Cody Gakpo playing on the left.

Diaz, a left winger, has featured in every Premier League game so far this season and is expected to continue his streak at Anfield this weekend. Writing in his programme notes, captain Van Dijk underscored his importance to Liverpool’s set-up.

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“Luis Diaz, of course, grabbed the headlines [vs Leverkusen] with his hat-trick, but this was the sort of performance he has been delivering all season, as far as I’m concerned,” he said. “We all know that he’s a top player, he is in a good moment and he will continue to be extremely important for us going forward, I’m sure.”

Diaz’s treble on Tuesday increased his goal tally for the season to nine in 15 matches. Speaking after the midweek European triumph, Slot spoke glowingly of Diaz and fellow goalscorer Gakpo.

“Not only the people in Colombia like and love Lucho [Diaz], the fans of Liverpool love him a lot as well,” he said. “I heard many times the fans singing his song. And the manager likes him a lot as well – I don't love him but I like him a lot!”

Slot added: “You all look at the goals Lucho scored and the goals Cody scored, I also look at the fact how hard they track back, how much they have to defend. I ask a lot from them, so that's why sometimes we have to rotate them.

“But Lucho, for me, is a starter. And I said this three days ago about Cody as well – he's, for me, a starter also.”