Jamie Carragher has defended Liverpool's controversial decision to sell winger Luis Diaz last summer, suggesting the Colombian's impressive form at Bayern Munich is partly down to playing in a less demanding league.
Carragher's cutting assessment of Diaz departure
The former Liverpool defender and prominent pundit argued that the club's hierarchy made a smart financial move by allowing Diaz to leave for Bayern Munich in a deal worth £65.5 million. Carragher emphasised that Diaz, aged 28, was approaching the end of his contract and would have commanded a significant new deal.
"It was a good deal for Liverpool," Carragher stated during an appearance on the Overlap Fan Debate. "He's 28, if we give him a new contract he'll be on massive money."
"He's going to look good in the Bundesliga"
Carragher delivered a blunt verdict on Diaz's stellar start to life in Germany, where he has scored 12 goals in 19 appearances, including a brace in a Champions League victory at Paris Saint-Germain. He currently sits as Bayern's second-top scorer behind Harry Kane.
"He's going to look good in the Bundesliga because it's not as good as the Premier League," Carragher remarked, pouring cold water on the idea that Liverpool made a mistake.
Reflecting on Diaz's Anfield career, Carragher was respectful but not effusive. "Diaz was a very good player for Liverpool, but he wasn't great – he wasn't Firmino, he wasn't Mane, he wasn't Salah," he said, comparing him to recent Anfield icons. "He was a good player; Liverpool got some good years out of him and got a good price."
The replacement strategy and Liverpool's current struggles
The ex-Reds star acknowledged that the failure to directly replace Diaz has been criticised. The club reportedly considered Lyon's Malick Fofana but ultimately decided against a signing, partly to create a pathway for young talent Rio Ngumoha.
Carragher suggested that Florian Wirtz, Liverpool's major summer acquisition, could eventually fill the creative void, though the German playmaker is yet to register a goal or an assist for his new club.
Liverpool's attacking line has struggled for consistency this season following a summer of significant change. British-record signing Alexander Isak has found the net only twice, while Mohamed Salah's output has declined, resulting in him being dropped to the bench for a recent win over West Ham.
Diaz, meanwhile, departed Merseyside after three and a half seasons, having enjoyed his most prolific campaign last year with 17 goals and a Premier League winner's medal.
