Arne Slot fires warning to Barcelona & PSG over Luis Diaz interest

Liverpool head coach Arne Slot has voiced his desire to keep hold of winger Luis Diaz amid significant speculation over the Colombia international's future.

Reports emerged earlier this year suggesting that Diaz had entered a make-or-break point in his Liverpool career, with the club torn over whether to cash in or try offer a new contract to the 27-year-old.

Since then, there has been continued speculation about a possible move to either Barcelona or Paris Saint-Germain, but rumours of an agreement with Manchester City have been strongly denied.

Asked about Diaz's future at the club, Slot told Friday's press conference: "When I walked in here, there was a screen from Sky Sports and I said, 'The whole day it's talking about football?' So, there is a lot of speculation constantly in this country, that is clear for me.

"So it's not a surprise if I hear you saying there is also [that about] Luis Diaz. Is there any player they don't talk about? A few, OK!

"His future is with us because I like a lot what I've seen in the last ten days that's in and I saw the same last season. He's had a big impact on Liverpool seasons and I'm hoping that he has a big impact in the upcoming season as well."

Another forward who has found himself in the rumour mill this summer is Uruguay international Darwin Nunez. Despite an impressive season on the stats sheet, Nunez often left fans frustrated with his profligacy in front of goal last year, but speculation of a move away from Anfield has died down dramatically.

Slot offered his support to Nunez as he was asked how he plans to maximise the 25-year-old.

"Bring him as much as we can into scoring positions," Slot explained. "Again, I think every individual benefits from team performance. If we, as a team, can bring our attackers – not only him but also the other ones – as much as we can in dangerous positions, these players will score goals.

"That's what we've seen in pre-season, where we even scored goals out of smaller chances. It's up to us to bring him or Diogo [Jota] or other attackers as much as we can into promising positions for them and then he, like all the others, will score their goals."

READ THE LATEST LIVERPOOL NEWS, TRANSFER RUMOURS & GOSSIP