'Seen that': Virgil van Dijk suggests 'amazing' Liverpool player is now doing something just like Sadio Mane

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Luis Diaz is the talk of the town at Liverpool after the winger scored a UEFA Champions League hat-trick against Bayer Leverkusen this week.

One of seven Liverpool players to score a hat-trick in the Champions League, Diaz enjoyed one of his best performances to date as a Red after being instructed by Arne Slot to play in the no. 9 role instead of out on the wing.

With Ryan Gravenberch amazed by what he saw from Diaz, the Colombia international has potentially unlocked a new skill to his game that could be of great use to Liverpool this season, especially with the striker position yet to have a guaranteed starter.

And Virgil van Dijk has now said Diaz’s performance reminded him of Sadio Mane.

Diaz’s versatility likened to Mane after standout Liverpool display

Speaking to the press after Liverpool’s win against Leverkusen, Van Dijk noted how Diaz’s attacking versatility could be compared to Mane’s, with the Senegal international playing virtually every forward position for the Reds and excelling in the process.

Indeed, Diaz was initially signed as a replacement for Mane at Liverpool, and the former FC Porto star is now starting to live up to that reputation in a big way having hit the ground running under new manager Slot.

READ MORE: Everything to know on Liverpool's Virgil van Dijk from his tattoo to net worth

Van Dijk said when asked about Diaz’s attacking versatility: “I think we've seen that over the last couple of years with Sadio playing as a No. 9 and drifting in different positions, so I think the players can do damage everywhere.

“Obviously for him [Diaz], I'm very pleased for him to get this first Champions League hat-trick of his career. I think he's an amazing player, like the rest of the guys.”

How is Diaz comparing to Mane’s final season at Liverpool?

Mane is rightfully regarded as one of the greatest attackers Liverpool has ever seen in the Premier League era, with the Senegal international’s departure one that few fans believed could be fixed.

Yet as per Diaz’s stats so far this season compared to Mane’s last year at Liverpool, the Colombia international is well on track to best the now-Al-Nassr’s record wit the Reds before leaving for Bayern Munich.

Diaz has come out of his shell in a big way this season, and with the Colombia international almost halfway to Mane’s tally in nearly a third less games, there’s a good chance that the 27-year-old could do something very special this campaign.