Liverpool’s focus shifted immediately to their Carabao Cup final against Newcastle United this weekend after they were eliminated from the Champions League on Tuesday. However, following their 2-1 defeat in the capital, supporters have lost faith in two players in particular.
At the end of the half, Dan Burn was the player who climbed the highest in Liverpool’s 18-yard box, giving the Magpies the lead. In the 53rd minute, Alexander Isak then volleyed home past Caoimhin Kelleher with a thunderous sense of inevitability.
Federico Chiesa, a Liverpool substitute, scored a spectacular goal in the closing moments of the match, but it was only a consolation as Newcastle won, ending their 70-year trophy drought in a memorable London finale.
Although there are actually very few Liverpool players who have been able to bask in their own glory, Diogo Jota and Luis Diaz, who comprised half of their team’s assault, have taken the brunt of the criticism.
Diaz, who is considered to be among the Premier League’s top wingers, was positioned off the left, while Jota was put in the lone center-forward position. Despite this, neither player had a productive afternoon as they ruined their chances of winning a trophy.
Jota missed one great opportunity, failed to create a single shot, and was successful in 0% (0/1) of his dribbles throughout his 57-minute performance until Darwin Nunez took his place. In actuality, Burn and Fabian Schar remained somewhat at ease the entire time.
He was usually second-best to every loose ball and only won two out of five (40%) of his duels. The fact that he only enjoyed 16 touches, however, is the main cause for concern.
Diaz, who is typically a constant threat on the flank, was simply not in the mood and also wasted one significant opportunity during his 74 minutes on the pitch. With 16 minutes remaining, he was replaced by Harvey Elliott after losing possession six times and only making 33% (1/3) of his dribble efforts.
The overwhelming belief on X (previously Twitter) is that the two, who make a combined £195,000 a week at Anfield, are surplus to requirements because they haven’t demonstrated the skills required to play for a team that is vying for trophies.
One supporter made the direct suggestion that neither forward has a future with the team. “Jota and Diaz are done at this club.” “Anyone else sick of watching Jota and Diaz?” asked another.
Spooky how little Liverpool’s front line has offered in the games vs PSG and now against Newcastle. Salah is an elite creator & scorer but struggling with traditional wing duties.
Luis Diaz and Jota have been flat-out poor, Jota especially. Squad weaknesses being exposed.
— WhattaHit (@WhattaHit) March 16, 2025
Another fan maintained that the summer transfer window would be ideal for Slot and the club’s boardroom executives to liquidate and maybe increase their earnings following a Premier League title.
In the summer, Diogo Jota and Luis Diaz had to depart from this team. Neither is quite adequate for this level.
One last supporter said that having Jota and Diaz on the same squad eliminates any resemblance between Liverpool’s typically formidable forward line. “When will Slot realise that you are unable to play Diaz and Jota, bro?”
