Virgil van Dijk notes that Luis Díaz, who scored three times on Tuesday night against Bayer Leverkusen in the Champions League, is becoming increasingly important for Liverpool. The Colombian forward is well on his way to surpassing his goal tally from last season.
Luis Díaz has made an impressive start to this season with Liverpool, already scoring nine goals in just fifteen games, well on his way to surpassing the thirteen goals he netted across 51 matches last season.
His rapid development has been noticed by both fans and teammates, with Liverpool’s captain, Virgil van Dijk, singling out Díaz’s impact. Speaking to TNT Sports, Van Dijk emphasized how Díaz’s enjoyment of the game is translating into high-level performances, contributing with goals and assists that underscore his increasing importance in the squad. “Luis is feeling good and playing with a lot of joy, which you can see in his goals and assists,” Van Dijk remarked, praising Díaz's consistent influence on the field.
Van Dijk also acknowledged the versatility and reliability that Díaz brings to Liverpool. "Luis is crucial for us every match," he continued. "Last season, he already showed how valuable he can be, and this season he’s been fantastic, whether he starts or comes on as a substitute." The Colombian forward has become a cornerstone of Liverpool’s attacking lineup, a sentiment Van Dijk echoed by expressing his satisfaction with the team’s 4-0 victory over Bayer Leverkusen. “4-0 against the champions of Germany... I enjoyed it too. It was another special Champions League night at Anfield,” he added, capturing the excitement of both fans and players as Liverpool delivered a dominant performance on their home turf.
Penalty Discussion
The match, however, wasn’t without its moments of controversy. Just before halftime, Van Dijk found himself at the center of a penalty appeal when Bayer Leverkusen’s Jeremie Frimpong called on referee Danny Makkelie to award a penalty for contact in the penalty area. Van Dijk, however, maintained there was no foul, and Makkelie did not award the penalty. At that point, the game was still deadlocked at 0-0, adding to the tension of the moment. Frimpong later saw a potential goal disallowed for a handball, further fueling the intensity of the game.
The incident sparked a lively debate among English pundits, with opinions divided on whether a penalty should have been awarded. Former Premier League referee Mark Clattenburg and legendary striker Alan Shearer both supported Makkelie’s decision not to penalize Van Dijk. Speaking on Amazon Prime, Clattenburg analyzed the sequence closely. “It was Makkelie’s first big decision of the match. Van Dijk made contact, but Frimpong took one, two steps before going down. That’s why the VAR ultimately didn’t intervene,” Clattenburg explained, highlighting the subtlety of the situation and why VAR opted to let the play continue. Shearer added, “Van Dijk pulled his leg back just in time. In my opinion, it was the right decision not a penalty.”
However, not all former players agreed with this perspective. Ex-Liverpool defender Stephen Warnock offered a contrasting view, suggesting that Van Dijk was fortunate to avoid conceding a penalty. “I think Virgil should consider himself lucky there,” Warnock commented on the BBC, noting that while Frimpong may have gone down somewhat easily, there was enough contact to make it a debatable call. “Frimpong got past him, and Virgil made contact. The fact that Frimpong went down quite easily is another story altogether,” Warnock added, suggesting that Frimpong’s exaggerated fall may have influenced the referee’s decision.
This discussion highlighted the nuances and differing interpretations that come with VAR decisions and player contact. The incident remains a point of contention, sparking broader conversations about how referees interpret contact in the box and when to intervene. For Liverpool, the decision ultimately worked in their favor, allowing them to continue their momentum and secure a commanding victory. The debates, however, reflect the ongoing challenges and scrutiny referees face with high-stakes calls, particularly in matches as competitive as the Champions League.
