Former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp said he had never met a player who smiled so much in training. With Sadio Mane moved into the centre to accommodate Diaz on the left, he quickly became a fan favourite. They loved his direct approach with the ball at his feet and his tenacity out of possession.

The reigning Premier League champions continue preparations to defend their title on Saturday (7:30 am ET), when Liverpool take on Serie A giants AC Milan in Hong Kong.

In that initial half-season, Diaz gave Liverpool fans reason to believe they had found a fitting heir to Sadio Mané. “He gave Sadio a strong last six months,” said Hendrick, noting that Diaz’s performances on the left allowed Mané to shift centrally and regain form during the run-in.

The winger's departure to Bayern Munich felt like a decision Richard Hughes couldn't turn down, but it does pose issues that Liverpool will now need to address in the transfer market