Liverpool may count themselves lucky after picking up three points against Wolves on Sunday.
After finding themselves with a 2-0 advantage heading into the halftime break, the Reds took their foot off the gas in the second 45 minutes, which nearly prompted a comeback from the Midlands club.
Arne Slot’s men experienced some nervy moments, but would ultimately hold on to move seven points clear of Arsenal in the Premier League standings.
| Position | Team | Played MP | Won W | Drawn D | Lost L | For GF | Against GA | Diff GD | Points Pts |
| 1 |  LiverpoolLiverpool | 25 | 18 | 6 | 1 | 60 | 24 | 36 | 60 |
| 2 |  ArsenalArsenal | 25 | 15 | 8 | 2 | 51 | 22 | 29 | 53 |
| 3 |  Nottm ForestNottingham Forest | 25 | 14 | 5 | 6 | 41 | 29 | 12 | 47 |
| 4 |  Man CityManchester City | 25 | 13 | 5 | 7 | 52 | 35 | 17 | 44 |
Liverpool were without Cody Gakpo for the Wolves game and that forced Slot to make changes to his starting 11 as the importance of the Dutch star would need to be accounted for.
The Liverpool boss would bring Diogo Jota back into his starting team for the first time in the Premier League since October, with the Portuguese star’s inclusion highlighting something Slot may look to change going forward.
- READ MORE: Arne Slot shares fitness update Cody Gakpo as worrying news provided on another Liverpool star
Luis Diaz delivers for Liverpool out wide
The absence of Gakpo allowed Slot to return Luis Diaz to his favourite position on the left wing as the Dutch coach has been using the Colombian star through the middle for the majority of the season.
The winger was outstanding in the first half against Wolves as the 28-year-old proved to be Liverpool’s biggest threat by scoring the opening goal of the contest and winning the penalty for the second.
Liverpool fans were impressed with Diaz’s performance and it has raised the question if the Colombia international should remain in the role going forward.
Sunday proved that Diaz is a bigger goal threat from out wide but Slot has a tough decision to make as Gakpo has been in tremendous form coming in off of the left.
The Dutch star has produced 16 goals and five assists across 36 games for the Reds this season and that is form his boss will not want to mess with.
It may just be part of Slot’s system that the number nine contributes less when it comes to goals as that role requires dropping deep to create for the wingers in the team.
It is splitting hairs when it comes to whether Diaz or Gakpo is better on the left for Liverpool, but it does seem that Colombian is more suited to playing out wide.
However, Slot will very likely stick with his fellow countryman going forward as the 25-year-old is more likely to be at Anfield long-term.
Uncertainty over the Liverpool future of Luis Diaz
It was reported that Liverpool are unlikely to offer Diaz a new contract when his current deal expires in 2027 as the winger continues to push towards 30.
Speaking on the latest episode of Walk On: The Athletic FC’s Liverpool show, Reds journalist James Pearce has opened up about the future of Diaz and has described his situation at Anfield as ‘interesting’.
‘Diaz is another interesting one, isn’t he?’ Pearce stated. ‘In terms of approaching the last couple of years of his contract, there was a lot of noise last summer, wasn’t there, about potential interest from Barcelona?
‘You know, to me, I think it clearly was being used a little bit to try and get an improved contract because he is still on the same contract as when he first arrived from Porto.
‘So there’s probably a big decision to be made there in terms of, do you renew and commit to Diaz for the foreseeable future? Or is this summer the time to cash in and invest money in a younger option in that front line?’
Barcelona have shown interest in Diaz in recent months and that is a move that will likely interest the Colombian if it arises again this summer.
It will be a tough decision for Liverpool to make should an offer arrive for the winger but given the form of Gakpo and Diaz’s age, it could be worth a chance to sell the winger and invest that money in a younger forward star.
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