Luis Diaz reacts as Kostas Tsimikas waves goodbye after Liverpool exit
Luis Diaz has reacted to a message from Kostas Tsimikas after his departure from Liverpool was confirmed.
Diaz has completed a transfer to Bayern Munich, bringing the curtain down on a three-and-a-half-year spell at Anfield that yielded 41 goals and 23 assists in 148 appearances and five trophies — including last season’s Premier League title.
“Three years and a half that I’ll treasure forever. I arrived with all the dreams in the world, and I am leaving proud of everything we achieved together,” Diaz said in an emotional goodbye on Instagram.
But despite departing for Bavaria, Diaz is still keeping a close eye on his old Anfield teammates.
Luis Diaz reacts to Tsimikas goodbye message
Liverpool are heading back to Merseyside from Asia for a friendly against Athletic Club before their season begins in the Community Shield against Crystal Palace on August 10.
While out East, the Reds lost 4-2 to AC Milan in Hong Kong before beating Yokohama F. Marinos 3-1 at Nissan Stadium to win the J-League World Challenge.
Left-back Kostas Tsimikas has posted a selection of highlights from his time in Japan to Instagram, captioning his post with Japanese flag, Japanese castle and waving hand emojis.
Tsimikas’ post was liked by a host of Liverpool teammates, including Virgil van Dijk, Wataru Endo, Ryan Gravenberch and Milos Kerkez.
Meanwhile, Diaz also dropped a like, heading up a group of ex-Reds that also included Trent Alexander-Arnold and Neco Williams.
Who could replace Diaz at Liverpool?
It’s been an incredible summer window for Liverpool so far, with the signings of Florian Wirtz, Hugo Ekitike, Milos Kerkez and Jeremie Frimpong sure to help them consolidate their Premier League title win.
However, it goes without saying that Diaz is one outgoing they will definitely need to replace.
Arne Slot’s side have been primarily linked with Real Madrid star Rodrygo, who has become a marginalised figure at the Santiago Bernabeu over recent months.
Still just 24 years old, Rodrygo is a multiple Champions League winner and a veteran of over 200 games for Los Blancos, and would represent a monumental statement from the Reds after losing Diaz.
| Real Madrid career stats | Rodrygo |
| Appearances | 270 |
| Goals | 68 |
| Assists | 51 |
| Trophies | 13 |
However, Arsenal are also in for the Brazil international, while Tottenham Hotspur also appear to have opened shock talks as they return to the Champions League.
The most obvious alternative to Rodrygo right now is Newcastle United’s Anthony Gordon.
Newcastle aren’t exactly seeing eye-to-eye with Liverpool right now after losing out on the signing of Ekitike, while the two clubs are still battling over Alexander Isak.
However, former Everton and Aston Villa chief Keith Wyness has backed the Reds to complete a deal for boyhood Liverpool fan Gordon, regardless of what happens in the Isak saga.