The beginning of the end? Luis Diaz drops Liverpool exit hint

Earlier this season, with his contract running down, Mohamed Salah continually made reference that this would be his final year with Liverpool.

He did it after the victory against Manchester United in September, then again against Brighton and Southampton.

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His message was to emphasise the fact that unless the club got a proposal to him which he found acceptable then he would be on his way after eight years.

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Whether or not those mind games paid off is debatable, but Salah has nonetheless secured the renewal he desired. And another Liverpool forward with contract issues would now appear to be following the Salah template - either renew me or lose me.

Is Diaz angling for exit?

Luis Diaz, 28, has a contract until 2027 but it’s widely believed that he would like a renewal on better terms. The Colombian signed his deal back in 2022 after transferring from Porto and remains on the same deal to this day.

It’s worth a reported £55,000 per week, a far cry from the £350,000 per week that Salah earns. Unless a breakthrough is struck, then Liverpool could be content to sell Diaz this summer while his value remains high.

Otherwise, next summer he will have only one year on his deal and, at the age of 29, Liverpool might consider it a restricted market.

Diaz seemed to set up an emotional farewell over the weekend in an interview with TNT Sports Mexico. Following the Reds’ decisive Premier League win over Leicester, the forward asked how it felt to have Liverpool supporters singing his name.

And he gave a detailed response, which included a reference to how he would like to be remembered by supporters and that he was now close to achieving his dreams in Liverpool red.

'I want to be remembered'

“It's a source of pride to see that Liverpool fans, from a great club in England, sing to you that way, support you that way,” he said.

“It's what I've always worked for. That's what I want for my career, to always be remembered for my play, to leave a mark at Liverpool.

“We'll continue working this way so that they feel comfortable and continue singing and supporting the team, which is the most important thing.

“So many memories come to me from when I was little because, as I told you a moment ago, I always dreamed of winning a title with Liverpool, especially the Premier League, and it's close.

“So, I'm very happy, very content. Now rest for what's coming, which is the most important.”

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Clubs such as Barcelona and Al-Nassr have been linked with Diaz but it remains to be seen if this interview was the beginning of the end.