Luis Diaz Insists Bayern Switch Was the Right Call After Anfield Exit

Luis Diaz has backed his decision to swap Anfield for the Allianz Arena, insisting the summer transfer to Bayern Munich was precisely what he needed at this stage of his career.

The Colombian winger's three-and-a-half seasons at Liverpool saw him notch 29 goals and 15 assists in the Premier League alone, playing a key role in last year's title triumph whilst also collecting FA Cup and two League Cup medals. His departure nonetheless raised eyebrows among the Anfield faithful, though the subsequent arrivals of Florian Wirtz and Alexander Isak eased some of the pain.

Speaking to Sky Sport Deutschland about his move, Diaz explained the thinking behind his switch: "It was a good decision – a decision for an incredible and outstanding team. And when you arrive somewhere new, you naturally want to give your very best, to give 100 per cent and to feel comfortable where you are."

The 29-year-old emphasised that contentment matters most when weighing up a fresh challenge: "Being happy is the most important thing for a player and for his family as well. It was exactly the right move to come here."

Diaz acknowledged the allure of Bayern's setup, noting the quality of the squad and facilities on offer. He did concede, however, that settling into German life presented its obstacles: "I knew I would be joining an incredibly strong group of footballers and a club with excellent infrastructure and top-class training facilities. I had no doubts about that. The most difficult part for me and my family certainly was and still is the language… but I knew I would fit in very well here and that I would contribute my part to the team's success – just as I did previously in Liverpool. FC Bayern placed their trust in me, and I am trying to repay that trust on the pitch."

His statistics in Bavaria have been eye-catching – 13 goals and eight assists across 20 Bundesliga outings this term – and former Premier League striker Gabby Agbonlahor reckons Liverpool are acutely feeling his absence. Speaking on talkSPORT, Agbonlahor highlighted what the Reds have lost: "You know, who they miss? Luis Diaz. They miss him like you won't believe, the way he pressed. Non-stop. He was a good replacement for Mane, and they have let Diaz go and they haven't replaced him."

The sale has drawn increasing scrutiny given Liverpool's disappointing campaign thus far, with several high-profile summer arrivals struggling to make an immediate impression. Former Manchester City winger Shaun Wright-Phillips has suggested the real blunder lay not in selling Diaz but in failing to recruit adequate cover.

Wright-Phillips explained his position: "Yes. I thought that when I heard it before it even happened. I couldn't quite understand it. That was a mistake, but an even bigger mistake was not replacing him. You're losing a winger, so replace him with another winger. For whatever reason, they chose to look elsewhere. I think a few Liverpool fans recognised just how good he was for them, but a lot of people didn't really understand how important and effective he was until he started doing it for Bayern instead."