“It’s not easy” – Worry ‘strange’ Arne Slot decision could have impact on Liverpool player

Liverpool are fourth in the table, after winning three of their four league games so far.

The Reds have scored seven goals and conceded only once, which was in their defeat to Nottingham Forest last weekend.

Luis Díaz has been directly involved in four of those goals [three goals and an assist] from four starts.

Arne Slot left the forward out of the starting lineup in Liverpool’s 3-1 win over AC Milan in the Champions League on Tuesday. Colombian journalist Andrés Marocco has said he’s puzzled with the Liverpool manager’s decision.

Speaking to ESPN’s F90, relayed by Colombia’s Bolavip, Marocco suggested it was best for Slot to leave the 27-year-old on the bench against Nottingham Forest instead of for the European fixture.

The Dutchman favoured his compatriot, Cody Gakpo, ahead of the Colombia international on the left side of the attack at the San Siro. Díaz came on for the 23-year-old in the 68th minute.

“What happened today [Tuesday] was strange,” he said.

“Professor Slot, wasn’t it better to have put Lucho on as a substitute in the game against Nottingham Forest and today as a starter?”

“One would think, away from home, that you need to think about the counterattack. And for the counterattack, [you need] Lucho. It’s the first game Slot didn’t start him. That’s when you say, do I need the Champions League match?”

The journalist remains hopeful Slot’s recent decisions won’t impact the South American’s motivation.

“That’s where you hope that Lucho’s head is fine. It’s not easy,” Marocco explained.

On Saturday, Liverpool will host AFC Bournemouth in the league. It remains to be seen whether Díaz will start this weekend.