What could have been! How Liverpool star Luis Diaz almost signed for rivals Everton - before Rafa Benitez got involved

Brands was pushing for the signature of Diaz in the summer of 2021, and prepared to send James Rodriguez to Porto as part of the deal. However, Benitez intervened and pumped the breaks on the deal, Brands told AD Sportwereld.

Diaz would later sign for Liverpool the following January, with the Reds spending an initial £37.5m (€45m/$50m) on the Colombian winger. Everton, meanwhile, brought in Demairi Gray on a cut-price deal.

On the failed move, Brands revealed: "I wanted to install my philosophy and structure in the Club that would allow Everton to progress, but the decisions from above did not allow it. In the summer of 2021 we were looking to bring Luis Diaz from Porto. I was working hard to get James Rodriguez to go to Porto as part of the deal that would bring Diaz to the Club, however, Rafa Benitez ruled against it because he was not sure about the player."

Diaz figures to be in the side when Colombia take on Paraguay next week in Conmebol 2026 World Cup qualifying. He scored twice to lead his side to a win over Brazil on Thursday night.