Colombian legend Faustino Asprilla thinks that Luis Diaz is being ‘eaten up by anxiety whilst playing for Liverpool.
The former Newcastle United striker made the comments via Marca Colombia as translated by Sport Witness.
“I think ‘Lucho’ is being eaten up by anxiety,” said Asprilla.
“He’s playing very well, but when it comes to scoring, he’s making the wrong decision, in that play, we saw he had to score first.”
Asprilla is referring to the chance that Diaz missed after coming off the bench against Inter Milan on Tuesday.
Collecting a ball from the right-hand side inside the six-yard box, the 25-year-old looked destined to score.
But his shot, which was heading into the bottom corner, was blocked by a flying Arturo Vidal challenge.
Asprilla thinks that when compared to goals Diaz has scored in the past, this was an easy one. The 52-year-old pundit claims that nerves are affecting his countryman.
“In the Copa America, he scored an almost impossible goal, and now he has a chance to score first time, and he couldn’t. Anxiety is killing him.”
Diaz still finding his shooting boots
Diaz has cut a happy figure since signing for Liverpool. Jurgen Klopp even commented that he had never seen a player smile so much during training.
The Colombian also plays with a verve and confidence that suggests he isn’t anxious at all.
Of course we can’t say for sure what goes on inside a player’s head. But the fact that Diaz only has one goal so far for Liverpool looks more like a case of bad luck than anything else.
The left-winger has come close on numerous occasions but has been thwarted. Be it due to a good save, the goal being a few inches too narrow or, in this case, some great defending.
Diaz has always looked on the cusp of scoring. His pace and direct style cause panic amongst defences and it’s surely only a matter of time before the floodgates open for him.
Even if he isn’t scoring, Diaz still looks to be a great addition to Klopp’s squad. As fellow Colombian Jackson Martinez said, he is a joy to watch at the moment.
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