i think that will be the front 3 going forward, Jota might be relegated to the bench as
Salah, Mane, and Diaz is a much better fit.
I agree. A lot more synergy between them generally I think and having the extra playmaker makes it much harder for teams to focus on shutting down Trent (especially as if they attempt to press TAA Diaz in space will usually be a free out ball).
It's quite obvious he offers many more things that Jota does. No hate on Jota, but like many portuguese football fans we always said he benefits a lot on working with Klopp, Diaz is a game changer, a natural talent who can work on multiple systems. Jota? Not so much. I actually think Rafael Leão from Milan should start for Portugal instead him, but no one is prepared to discuss that here.
Yeah Leão is a great shout - and personally I'd bench Ronaldo for Felix on a more or less full time basis, so Leão as an option at the far post from Cancelo / Moutinho deep crosses is enticing for me.
Yeah I agree with this. We look worse up top when Jota plays centrally and Mane is forced out wide. The latter is more suited to playing as a striker centrally now.
Diaz has been incredible. Settled so quickly and seems so naturally suited to how we play.
I was gutted when you signed him - obviously the league here in Portugal isn't at the apex of European football, but anytime you can get someone who is very very obviously the best player who was ascending the development / age curve for a reasonable fee it's a solid gamble.
Personally I think he does a lot to alleviate some of the creative burden from Salah - when Liverpool have struggled over the last few years generally I think the common denominator is Salah dropping too deep and trying to do a bit too much on the ball versus getting into finishing positions.
Sidenote - Mane deserves a huge amount of credit for adapting so quickly to the CF role - I know he played there at times but some of his creativity when dropping deep has blown me away. I also think he brings an added element of running in behind that Jota doesn't to the same extent - and with him centrally that's another dangerous element to your attack given Diaz has the quality to find him.