Merson warns ‘outstanding’ Liverpool star he’s a ‘marked man’

Paul Merson has warned new Liverpool winger Luis Diaz that he is already a “marked man” following his “outstanding” start in England.

After initially being linked with a move to Tottenham Hotspur, Diaz signed for Liverpool during the January transfer window.

The 25-year-old was enjoying a brilliant start to the 2021/22 season with Porto. He provided 16 goals and six assists for them across all competitions.

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Diaz has immediately hit the ground running for Liverpool as he had been lauded for his performances.

He netted his first Premier League goal last month as Jurgen Klopp’s men beat Norwich City 3-1 at Anfield.

Merson has now suggested that Diaz will be “on the radar” for Liverpool’s opposition:

“Luis Diaz has been so outstanding for Liverpool so far that he is already a marked man,” Merson wrote for The Daily Star.

“He’s come in and caught everybody on the hop. Defenders wouldn’t have watched him much or known much about him and he’s taken them by surprise.

“Now all of a sudden he’s on the radar and this is when you’ve got to produce. He’s in opposition team talks now.

“When teams are discussing how to set up against Liverpool and who to stop, it’s not just Mo Salah and Sadio Mane and Diogo Jota they’re talking about; it’s Luis Diaz.

“So it’s a different game for him now and this is where we are going to see what he’s made of. The top players carry it on.

“He will be a marked man. I don’t mean in a vicious way but teams will adjust and try to stop him.

“What I’ve seen so far, I’ve been majorly impressed. His first touch, his movement, his team play, his work ethic, finishing, his skills. Everything about him has been outstanding.

“He’s going to be massively important to them now for the rest of the season because they don’t have a chance of winning a quadruple unless everyone is on top of their game.

“Do they have the squad to win four trophies? Probably not. But they’re going to have a go and Diaz will have to play his part.

“Some of their players have played a lot of football and they went all the way in the Carabao Cup final against Chelsea.

“But I don’t think they will pay a price for it in the league. They look like they are flying at the minute.”