What a distinction a yr could make.
We’re 20 days out from the primary anniversary of , a triumph of which and have been integral to. They’ll now be pitted in opposition to one another for 2 completely different groups – and – in a colossal quarter-final, having gone down vastly contrasting paths since that afternoon of ecstasy at Anfield.
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The native hero amongst Liverpool title-winners, throughout the week of their crowning second. The on the finish of his contract, set to swap his boyhood membership for a fierce European rival who had dealt the Reds a lot heartache in years passed by, left a vocal part of the and shortchanged. The appropriate-back was 26, already among the many greatest in his place however theoretically but to enter his prime years, however bid farewell for under a ; Liverpool had the Membership World Cup schedule to thank for the £10m that got here in return, in any other case he would have left without spending a dime. It was something however a clear break.
Trent Alexander-Arnold’s departure from Liverpool was something however a clear break (Getty Pictures)
Two months later, and garnered a response that diametrically opposed the wrath Alexander-Arnold obtained. Diaz was nearing his 30s, in his prime however at some extent the place his return on funding was most likely at its peak, particularly contemplating he had lower than two years left on his contract. So regardless of a formidable season, the place he was utilised successfully each on the left and up entrance, supporters accepted the choice to money in on the Columbian as he made the transfer to Bayern Munich for £65.5m. It wasn’t as if Diaz didn’t wish to transfer; it was fairly the alternative, having additionally requested to go away the summer season the prior. However there was little to no ill-feeling in the direction of the participant.
A story of two gross sales, the duo’s debut seasons at their new golf equipment have very a lot conformed with how they left issues at their previous stomping grounds.
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Diaz’s influence at Bayern was prompt and fan adoration got here accordingly, scoring in every of his first three Bundesliga outings after marking his maiden look with a decisive aim within the DFB-Supercup, the curtain-raiser the German season. He’s gone on to web 22 objectives and bag 18 assists throughout all competitions in a spellbinding first marketing campaign in Bavaria; his means to single-handedly change the sport in a second has been sorely missed throughout Liverpool’s dire title defence. His attacking exploits are solely second to at least one at league leaders Bayern, who’s main the race for the continent’s golden boot.
Luis Diaz has starred for Bayern Munich since leaving Liverpool (Getty Pictures)
Then there’s Alexander-Arnold, who feels considerably liable to turning into the newest instance of a Liverpool famous person to find that the grass isn’t all the time greener on the opposite aspect; one thing Philippe Coutinho, Gini Wijnaldum and Sadio Mane all skilled earlier than him. Within the poisonous cauldron of the Santiago Bernabeu, his defensive shortcomings that have been all the time central to the arguments of his critics have translated into the Spanish recreation; it didn’t take lengthy for followers to wonder if then-manager Xabi Alonso ought to transfer him into midfield, a debate inherited from his Liverpool days.
So whereas Diaz is a nailed-on starter at Bayern, Alexander-Arnold’s inconsistency – compounded by accidents – has left him in a three-way battle for the right-back spot this season, principally with veteran Dani Carvajal but additionally versatile midfielder Federico Valverde, who even when Carvajal was unavailable was typically most well-liked to the Englishman.
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Alexander-Arnold has solely accomplished a full 90 minutes 4 instances in LaLiga this season. However within the Champions League, an enviornment he’s way more conversant in, he seems to be trusted. His league section was hampered by muscle woes however in opposition to each Benfica and Manchester Metropolis within the knockouts, he began all 4 video games, .
There’s good purpose to consider he’ll preserve his place in opposition to Bayern, offering for what could possibly be a defining duel of former team-mates. Alexander-Arnold is but to actually announce himself for Los Blancos however in opposition to Diaz, one of many continent’s most prolific gamers and a person he is aware of all too properly, a possibility to take action has offered itself.
Alexander-Arnold will know Diaz’s playbook, having educated in opposition to him for over three years. This expertise places him among the many world’s most certified right-sided defenders to thwart his risk, no matter type.
Alexander-Arnold (left) and Diaz throughout their Liverpool days (Getty Pictures)
And because of beneficial circumstances, this could possibly be the difference-maker for Alvaro Arbeloa’s aspect, who’re very a lot leaning on the Champions League to show their season round after the weekend’s shock defeat to Mallorca left them seven factors behind LaLiga leaders Barcelona.
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Bayern marksman for the primary leg following his with a minor ankle harm, however he gained’t be at peak match sharpness after 16 days with no minute. We might not get the Kane present in Madrid, that means the impetus for objectives is ready to fall extra on Diaz’s shoulders.
Bayern’s prime scorer Harry Kane (proper) will lack match sharpness, placing the strain for objectives on Diaz’s shoulders (Getty Pictures)
Shutting out the Colombian might due to this fact put Actual in prime place to take management of this tie. The emphasis on European success amongst Spain’s giants grants Alexander-Arnold the prospect to overwrite any home struggles if he turns into key to Champions League glory.
There’s a actual risk that the alternative could possibly be true – that each gamers keep on the identical observe their campaigns have to this point taken and Alexander-Arnold is undone by his former colleague, struggling a house humiliation he may not be capable of get well from, two months earlier than he’s .
But when fortunes flip, this quarter-final could possibly be the turning level for Alexander-Arnold at Actual Madrid, coming on the expense of Diaz’s near-perfect season.