How former Everton player is the KEY behind Luis Diaz REVIVAL at Liverpool

Luis Diaz has been one of a number of Liverpool players who have clearly taken an immediate step up under new head coach Arne Slot.

With five goals in six league games so far, Diaz has been essential to a Liverpool attack that sees them sit top of the league at present. Most noteworthy of these was a first-half brace at Old Trafford that put Manchester United to bed as Liverpool ran out 3-0 winners.

Along with Ryan Gravenberch and Ibrahima Konaté, Diaz has clearly gone up a level in this opening spell of games. The players have spoken to what new head coach Arne Slot has done to see this happen.

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Whilst there obviously are elements to training and approaches to attacking that are being worked on, Diaz himself has gone on the record to say that putting confidence in his players is what Slot does best to see these results.

Help from the blue side

And now the Daily Mail are reporting that a key part of this comes down to one of Slot’s assistants – former Everton defender Johnny Heitinga.

The former Dutch international is reportedly crucial to the individual sessions that are being run with players to improve their performances. And with the former Everton man speaking good Spanish, his communication levels with Diaz are extremely effective.

It is ironic that a man who spent so much time on the blue side of Merseyside would be so effective during a transition period on the red side of Stanley Park. Diaz appears to be receiving the ball higher up the pitch and himself has admitted working on what is best to do when arriving in attacking situations.

With goals scored with both his dominant and weaker foot and well as his head so far this season, the sessions with Heitinga are clearly highly effective. 

If Liverpool are going to mount a serious title challenge this season, the former Evertonian will have a central part to play.

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Thomas Clark

I’m Thomas Clark, from the ever-sunny Scottsdale, Arizona. At 47, my life’s not your usual nine-to-five grind; I’m the voice behind the screen at FC Soccer News. My days are a mix of passion and professionalism as I weave words for the love of the game. University of Arizona’s where I honed my skills, but the real education came from the hours spent in local cafes, my eyes glued to my laptop, and my mind playing the field.

Soccer’s not just my beat—it’s the rhythm to my life. I analyze plays with a tactical mind and share insights that cut through the noise. Outside work, my appetite for adventure is as strong as a striker’s kick. The chef in me loves experimenting in the kitchen, and when the hiking trails call my name, I answer with boots laced tight. I’ve got music in my bones, and you’ll often find me lost in the melodies of a well-strummed guitar.

Away from the adrenaline of sports and the hum of daily life, my world orbits around my family. Dinner tables are our huddles, where laughter and stories bounce around like a well-played ball. Weekends are sacred—reserved for family bike rides and movie marathons, where I pass down my love for classics to my two bright kids. Parenthood’s more rewarding than any byline, and it’s taught me the true value of teamwork. My wife is my rock, my steady defender, offering unwavering support through every deadline and draft. Together, we’ve built a life that’s as dynamic as the games I cover—a blend of commitment, joy, and the unending chase of a story worth telling.