Liverpool’s talented winger, Luis Diaz, raised eyebrows recently when he unveiled his all-time Liverpool 5-a-side team in a recent interview with JD Sports.
Among the star-studded lineup including Alisson Becker, Virgil Van Dijk, Steven Gerrard, and Kenny Dalglish, was the slightly less anticipated inclusion of Xherdan Shaqiri.
For the uninitiated, the choice of Shaqiri might seem peculiar. Gerrard and Dalglish are household names in the Liverpool folklore, synonymous with leadership, skill, and consistent excellence. Van Dijk and Alisson, Liverpool’s current stalwart duo are hardly a surprise either. However, Shaqiri, although undoubtedly gifted, has always been a player of contrasts.
While Shaqiri’s talent is undeniable, he’s never quite cemented himself as a Liverpool legend in the same vein as the others. Yet, perhaps, this choice provides an intriguing insight into Diaz’s own perception of the game. Some would argue that Shaqiri’s inclusion represents a player who possesses an unorthodox flair, occasionally pulling off unexpected brilliance when least anticipated.
In many ways, Diaz’s style on the pitch mirrors this. Electric, explosive, and primarily on point, yet every now and then, he throws in a decision that seems out of place, making fans wonder what went through his mind.
Perhaps Diaz sees a bit of himself in Shaqiri or respects those moments of unanticipated genius that the Swiss international brought to the pitch.
