Eye-catching Luis Diaz stat shows he hasn't lost attacking spark

Luis Diaz has endured a difficult and traumatic season to date.

The Colombian's parents were kidnapped earlier this campaign, an ordeal that will have been incredibly distressing for the 26-year-old.

Diaz's performances on the pitch have also suffered this season, the winger not quite as dynamic or prolific as he was after initially joining the club in January 2022 - although his difficulties can also be traced back to a significant injury suffered last campaign.

However, while some criticism of Diaz's displays has been justifiable, some has been unfair.

The forward was back to his electric best during the Reds' 4-2 win over Newcastle United on New Year's Day, form he'll be hoping to take into the rest of the year.

But Diaz has still been impactful for Liverpool this season, even if he hasn't hit the lofty heights he set for himself early in his Reds career.

According to Opta, Diaz has drawn 22 fouls for the Reds in the Premier League this term, eight of which have led to cards - the third highest total in the division.

Two of those fouls came back in October of last year during the Merseyside derby at Anfield, Ashley Young felling Diaz twice before being sent off.

Diaz then won Liverpool a penalty later in the game, helping the Reds to a 2-0 victory in which he was incredibly influential.

While the South American has come under fire for not taking on defenders enough this season, Diaz is clearly still drawing fouls and finding his way past opposition full-backs.

In fact, Diaz has attempted 4.96 take-ons per match in the league, although his successful take-on rate sits at an underwhelming 42.6%.

As mentioned, the winger was much improved against Newcastle last time out, attempting eight dribbles in the match - two more than any other player on the pitch and five more than any Liverpool player.

Of those dribbles, five were successful, Diaz drawing the foul for the penalty that Mohamed Salah missed in the first half.

If the former Porto man can continue putting up the kind of numbers he did against the Magpies, he will be an incredibly important asset for the Reds moving forward.