Exclusive interview with Luis Diaz: Liverpool winger hoping to win "everything" and loving life under "spectacular" Arne Slot

A beaming In a secluded spot of Liverpool's training site, Luis Diaz mulls over his goal of the season. The winger has a lot of options because he has five goals in five games, second only to Erling Haaland among Premier League players.

He cuts it to two with his confident finish after a swift break in the win over Brentford (calling it "a very quick and beautiful counter-attack," he says) and his clinical opening goal from Ibrahima's long pass to Konate in the victory over Bournemouth.

"It was a really good move. Konate saw me at a great distance. Both the control and the finish were excellent." He gives the impression that it is simple. However, it was yet another captivating display of dexterity, agility, and brutality from an individual performing at the pinnacle of their abilities.

In the first few weeks of the season, Diaz has been amazing; under new head coach Arne Slot, the player has changed dramatically. It took him until February of the previous term to reach the five-goal threshold. This time, he's thrilled to find his name close to the top of the scoring tables.

"It feels great to be here," he remarks. "I strive towards improving myself because I am constantly wanting to get better. I picture myself up there right now. That's the reason we play football.

Naturally, Haaland will require some catching up. However, Diaz's goal is to win the Golden Boot. "Not at all? My goal is to rank among the Premier League's highest scorers. Right now, I just need to maintain my composure, enjoy myself, and build on this positive start."

Diaz appears to be having a good time. Even though he was not used as a substitute in Wednesday's Carabao Cup victory against West Ham at Anfield, he was spotted having fun and chatting with teammates. Despite this, he acknowledged that he was dying to participate. "I always want to play."

That was the case even in the previous season, when Diaz had to bear the terrifying ordeal of witnessing his father being taken captive in Colombia for 13 days by kidnappers. It is not shocking that his form declined.

"I am happier and calmer now," he declares. "I am genuinely loving the way that football is affecting my mood. Naturally, I've felt that way always. When I walk out on the pitch, I always try to have fun and play with a grin, even though I take my work seriously.

However, it was a really challenging year. This year, I'm fully committed to my goals.

"I need to improve. We must also improve as a unit. Hopefully, we will be able to do everything we have planned."

The fact that Diaz was rested against West Ham indicates how important he is to Slot. Liverpool managed to score five goals in the match, with doubles from Diogo Jota and Cody Gakpo following a goal from Mohamed Salah, demonstrating the depth the new manager has at his disposal.

Diaz claims, "It helps us maintain our level." "We have players of the highest calibre. It's a very constructive rivalry. Both the starter and the replacements always give it their all. We have an extremely unique team. With so many games, I usually stress the value of rotation."

particularly if Liverpool is to achieve their high goals. They have won four of their first five games, and with Diaz leading the way, they are only one point behind Manchester City, the top team in the Premier League. In the Champions League match versus AC Milan, there was again a victorious start.

When asked if they could launch a title challenge, Diaz answers right away. With a "yes," he responds. "We have to and will make an effort to win every competition in which we are participating this year.

"That is what we are aiming for, as well as what the coach and I want, as we were unable to do it last year. We have to aim to contend for everything this year."

Their excellent start under Slot has inspired cautious hope about what could be, and it's clear that Diaz admires the man who will replace Klopp. After the heartbreak of losing to Colombia in the Copa America final in the summer, an arm around the shoulder was comforting.

"As a coach, he has been spectacular from the first day I arrived and we had contact," Diaz says. "The relationship is excellent and has been for a while.

He will compliment you on your outstanding work while also paying close attention to the areas where you need to grow. In that regard, he is an excellent coach. You can see that he prepares well for the games by looking at our performance. Our first few games have demonstrated a great deal of talent from us."

No one more so than Diaz, whose thunderous runs from behind, like the one that set up his first goal against Bournemouth, have typified Liverpool's plays.

"It's one of my biggest characteristics," he states. "I always go for the diagonal run to go up against the goalie one-on-one. My areas of expertise are one-on-ones and those runs."

These are areas of expertise. Slot is ready to be used. Diaz nods, "Exactly," We are all asked to do that by the coach. In terms of my traits, he desires his wingers to possess what I do.

He also makes a lot of effort to impart tactical details to us. That is, he puts in a lot of labour. He commands us to always take the defensive position, build a strong defensive block, and launch an offensive as well. It goes without saying that improving your defence will also improve your assault.

"So, he wants us to think about that defensive side of things, but also while enjoying ourselves because it's always important to have that enjoyment, even knowing you have a job to do."

In five Premier League games, Liverpool has only given up one goal, in part because of Diaz and his offensive teammates' excellent play on defence. Naturally, though, the 27-year-old's influence has been felt most at the opposite end of the pitch.

Why does he seem to be so prolific? "I think the training sessions are helping a lot," he states. "In addition, the assurance you receive from the coach and the squad when things are going well and everyone is performing well.

"In my opinion, confidence is crucial. However, there's also the daily effort I put into improving my finishing and mobility.

"Your coach will always attempt to rectify the necessary movements so that you can be in a position to score more goals, go in front of the goal more effectively, and be well-positioned. Thus, that is pretty beneficial.

"I think that's mostly what it's about, being in the right positions, getting closer to goal and obviously working on your finishing."

The data reflects the significance of positioning. Diaz is shooting at the same pace as he did the previous season, but the shots are coming from better spots, which raises the chance of a conversion. It's also important to know when to occupy certain spaces, as Diaz explains.

"The coach's main goal is to place his wide players in wide positions. The wingers are never in the zone. I always hold the breadth, although Mo may be a little more narrow—sometimes, not always.

"But when the ball arrives with Mo or Trent [Alexander-Arnold] on the other side, I have to run inside and be there as a central attacker, to be in a good position in relation to the goal."

When Liverpool takes on Wolves live on Sky Sports on Saturday, Diaz will be looking to build on his thrilling start. Furthermore, there doesn't seem to be much risk of a decline in application because of the resilience that developed him as an underweight young player in Colombia in the face of hardship.

"Giving my all has always been who I am as a guy. He declares, "I try to get better, I try to work harder, and I try to better myself." "Don't linger on the things that go badly. Instead, turn the situation around, keep working, keep doing things correctly. From then on, things will gradually happen for you.

"With work and desire, I think everything turns out much better."