Liverpool FC news recap: Players REACT to EAFC, Diaz and Slot INTERVIEWS

Here’s all the latest Liverpool FC news ahead of the weekend with the Reds set to take on Wolves in the Premier League.

Darwin Nunez reacts to EAFC rating

Darwin Nuñez can hardly seem to catch a break.

A 14-appearance goalless streak was finally brought to an end with a simply sublime 18-yard effort from the right side of the penalty area off the far post and in against Bournemouth last weekend. And whilst he didn’t score in his second straight start, he was afforded 90 minutes in Liverpool’s 5-1 League Cup win over West Ham.

But with the release of the EA FC 25 video game - the no-longer-legally-named-FIFA series - has come another opportunity for comparison with his peers. And, despite his 82 rating, he's still not happy.

As can be seen in the video Luis Diaz, Diogo Jota and Alexis Mac Allister - Mate drink in hand - are beside themselves after Darwin quips that his lower rating is because he's spent 'five of seven games on the bench'. Even Darwin himself manages to break out into a smile. Diaz’s rating on the game is 84, Jota's 85 and Mac Allister's 86, meaning that Darwin falls rather short of his boys. Whilst it was certainly tongue in cheek, it's clear Darwin isn't too happy about his current playing time under new manager Arne Slot.

➡️ READ MORE

Arne Slot on Luis Diaz form

Luis Diaz has arguably been Liverpool’s best player so far this season.

The Colombian has already netted five goals in the first five Premier League games, steamrolling towards his previous Premier League-highest tally of eight. This includes an opening brace in the 3-0 win over Manchester United at Old Trafford.

Right foot, left foot, headers - the winger has emerged into this season as seemingly the total package. Many have been wondering just how much new manager Arne Slot has had to do with this fast-paced growth.

Asked about anything specific he has been working on with Diaz in today’s pre-match press conference ahead of a trip to Molineux to face Wolves, Slot shared his take on the player's form.

➡️ READ MORE

Luis Diaz hails Arne Slot

Arne Slot hasn’t exactly hidden his tactical structures this season, but there has clearly been a change in the way Liverpool play.

This has been reflected critically in the performance of some key players - none more than Luis Diaz, who has started the season in electric form. The Colombian winger has five goals in five games this season, racing towards his Premier League-high total of eight.

In an exclusive interview with Sky Sports ahead of this weekend’s trip to Wolves, Diaz has opened up about his scintillating start and the way in which new manager Slot has aided this.

➡️ READ MORE

Ref behind WOAT VAR decision is back on Liverpool

Liverpool’s game away at Tottenham last season was one of the most controversial of the entire season.

Luis Diaz had a goal ruled out for offside at 0-0 which, due to a grave error communication, led to VAR’s realisation that Diaz was onside for the goal not to be implemented on the day.

Tottenham ran out 2-1 winners that day. With Curtis Jones being sent off before Diaz’s non-goal went in, who knows what the outcome would have been if the VAR call had been correctly implemented.

Now, Darren England - the VAR official on that day - will be involved in a Liverpool game for the first time since then as he steps into the fourth official role for this weekend’s matchup against Wolves.

➡️ READ MORE

Slot set for first major test

Arne Slot is walking into his first real test as Liverpool head coach - or at least, that’s what the data says.

Opta analysts understand that Arne Slot is about to have his first real test as Liverpool's head coach. They've analysed the fixture list of every Premier League club and believe that the Reds actually had the easiest start to the season.

That start saw Liverpool take on newly-promoted Ipswich Town in their opener, before taking on Brentford, Manchester United, Nottingham Forest and Bournemouth. United are the strongest team there, of course, but not one that's expected to challenge - the Reds swept the floor with them, in fact.

Their next, five, though, are above average in difficulty. Wolves and Crystal Palace are up next, both away from home. Then comes Chelsea at Anfield - a team with only one defeat this year - and then Arsenal away. That's one of the toughest games all season, of course.

➡️ READ MORE