ExplainedHow Arne Slot's 'spectacular' coaching is helping Luis Diaz score more goals
Luis Diaz is revelling in the ‘spectacular’ rapport he is building with Arne Slot.
Liverpool’s No.7 has begun Slot’s first season in charge of the club in outstanding and prolific form, scoring five goals in five Premier League appearances to help the Reds claim 12 points so far.
And Diaz has detailed how much he is enjoying working under the new head coach.
The Colombia forward told Sky Sports: “As a coach, he has been spectacular from the first day I arrived and we had contact. The relationship is and continues to be really good.
“He is very attentive to the things you need to improve but he will also praise you for the good things you do. He is a good coach in that sense.
“He puts together good plans for the games and you can see that reflected in our results. We have shown a lot of quality in our first few games.”
Diaz is already just three goals shy of his total of eight in the Premier League last term and believes the hard work being put in at the AXA Training Centre is paying off on matchdays.
“I think the training sessions are helping a lot,” he explained.
“Also, the confidence the coach and the team give you when everyone is playing well and things are going well. I think confidence is really important. But then there is also the hard work I am doing every day on my finishing and my movements.
“The coach always tries to correct the movements you need to make in order to be well-positioned, to arrive in front of the goal better and score more goals. So, that really helps a lot.
“I think that’s mostly what it’s about, being in the right positions, getting closer to goal and obviously working on your finishing.”
Liverpool’s top-flight campaign continues with a visit to Wolverhampton Wanderers on Saturday and Diaz is certain they are capable of mounting a challenge for the Premier League title, and indeed on all fronts, this season.
“Yes, yes – we have to try, and we will try, to win every competition we are competing in this year,” he stated.
“That is what we are working for, that is what the coach wants and what we want, because last year we didn’t manage it. This year, we have to try to compete for everything.”
Diaz grabbed two goals against AFC Bournemouth last weekend and was joined on the scoresheet that afternoon by Darwin Nunez.
Then, the goals in midweek in a 5-1 Carabao Cup defeat of West Ham United were delivered by Diogo Jota (two), Mohamed Salah and Cody Gakpo (two).
The Anfield victory over the Hammers also saw summer signing Federico Chiesa make his first start for Liverpool, claiming an assist for Jota’s first strike.
“It helps us maintain our level,” Diaz said of the strength of the competition within Slot’s attacking options. “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.”
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