Luis Diaz leaves Liverpool as a figure loved by supporters but a player perhaps underrated due to the quality of his competition.Liverpool’s success over the last seven years, brought about by Jurgen Klopp and continued by Arne Slot, has meant our perception of quality has been warped.If Diaz had played for Liverpool during the 15 years prior to Klopp’s arrival, he would have been deemed one of the star attractions, up there with the signings of Luis Suarez, Fernando Torres and Philippe Coutinho.However, such was the calibre of the squad he joined in 2022, he never quite grew into the main man he threatened to become early in his Anfield career.That isn’t to diminish his achievements, of course. The Colombian was an integral figure in each of his four trophy triumphs and will be missed by the Kop, who instantly took to his brilliant combination of tenacity and skill.Three months prior to Diaz signing for Liverpool, he had his first taste of Anfield as Porto travelled to Merseyside in the Champions League.While the night ended in defeat for the winger as the Reds won 2-0, Diaz’s appetite for the atmosphere had been whetted in front of a set of fans who would one day unabatedly sing his name.That season, the Reds were good, but it wasn’t until after Christmas that Liverpool really turned the screw, with Klopp’s new Colombian a key factor in pushing the team towards a quadruple.Instantly, Diaz made a difference, often replacing Sadio Mane on the Senegalese moved central and Roberto Firmino began to lose his place in the starting XI.What stood out from the off was Diaz’s enthusiasm for the game; the winger drove at the opposition with the same ferocity, whether it be in the first or last minute.Diaz wasn’t just about the tricks and flicks, though. His relentless pressing and tenacity to win the ball made him a constant danger, in and out of possession.It quickly became apparent that Liverpool had pulled off a coup in beating Tottenham to Diaz’s signature. Life beyond Salah, Mane and Firmino suddenly became palatable. A player for the big occasionAnother string to Diaz’s bow was his ability to step up in his big games.The Colombian’s lack of consistency was ultimately what held him back from being among the very best players in the world.However, when times were tough, Diaz’s level almost always rose. During cup finals and end-of-season nail-biters, he would be the man to take responsibility and carry the ball upfield to give his teammates some precious moments of relief.“In a final, you forget fatigue. You play, you run and you fight,” Diaz said.Before he had even moved out of the Titanic Hotel, Diaz had won his first piece of silverware, producing an exciting display that helped Liverpool to their 2022 League Cup triumph.His performance in the 2024 League Cup final, as well as the 2022 FA Cup, was also exemplary, as he exhibited a level of fitness that allowed him to provide a threat when others were wilting under pressure.The 2024 Wembley win, surrounded by youth team players, saw Diaz stand up to be counted.He played all 120 minutes and proved himself as a leader, creating more chances and completing more dribbles than anyone else on the pitch, providing Liverpool with a lifeline and sticking point in the opposition half. ‘He’s from Barrancas and he plays for Liverpool’ Diaz’s career in football has been one he has had to work extremely hard for.Born in Barrancas, the No. 7 comes from the impoverished La Guajira region of Colombia and is a member of the indigenous Wayuu tribe.Before becoming a figurehead for his national team, he rose to the top the hard way, not even signing for a professional club until he was 18 years old.“It (my self-belief) comes from my roots. I always played football in my town, in my homeland,” Diaz told UEFA.“They are my characteristics, they have instilled in me several things that I have today and now I have grown much more. That’s my game.“Each game is a revenge for always going out to look for more, I know what it costs and I have to take advantage of every moment, every minute I have.”Diaz has never taken Liverpool for granted, part of the reason why supporters have grown such affection for the tricky winger.The Kop’s famous chant for the No. 7 refers to Diaz’s origins, while asserting its pride that we can call him one of our own.When his parents were kidnapped by a guerrilla group in late 2023, the bond between Diaz and supporters only became stronger as fans and his teammates offered their support.Thankfully, his family were reunited and Diaz Sr became a regular in away ends, celebrating fervently among travelling supporters. The perfect on-field endingUnfortunately, Diaz’s knee injury in October 2022 slowed his development and took him a long time to recover from.However, we finally saw the best of the Colombian again as Slot’s side won the Premier League, with Diaz playing 50 times and scoring 17 goals across all competitions in his final campaign.At 28 years old, it may seem early for Diaz to depart for the Bundesliga.However, the reality is that he will feel the need to make the most of the biggest wage opportunity in his career. By the time his next contract comes around, he will be in his early thirties and past his peak.We say goodbye to Diaz with a heavy heart but knowing, at the same time, that Liverpool will put the funds to good use.He is Luis Diaz and he may be from Barrancas, but he will always have a home on Merseyside.