Liverpool star Luis Diaz can carry Colombia to Copa America glory in 2024

Diaz wasn't an unknown quantity when he showed up at the 2021 Copa America. By that time, the Barrancas-born winger was settled in the Porto first team. He had already scored in the Champions League, won the Portuguese top flight, and been billed as an exciting talent. It was no secret that he would be a player to watch at the tournament.

Just how strongly her performed, though, surprised many. He finished the tournament with four goals and played almost every single minute for his country. He scored an acrobatic volley against Brazil, and bagged two in the third place match as the Colombians won in extra-time.

This all came for a side stuck between generations. James Rodriguez was left out of the squad altogether, while stalwarts Juan Cuadrado and Duvan Zapata were past their best. Colombia weren't supposed to get anywhere near the final. Diaz's series of strong performances put them within an Argentina semi-final extra-time goal of playing for silverware.

The Liverpool switch, when it came, felt inevitable. Diaz had been coveted by a number of teams during the summer of 2021, but spurned their interest to stay at Porto. He reportedly turned down first Tottenham, then Man United before joining Jurgen Klopp's surging Reds. The result proved that he was ready for the step up. He buoyed Liverpool's ultimately unsuccessful quadruple pursuit, providing key contributions in two cup final wins - while also scoring key goals in a run to the Champions League final.

By the end of the season, Diaz was a household name, heir apparent to Sadio Mane in the Liverpool side, and considered one of the best in Europe at his position. The move came at the right time, and proved that he could be more than just a flicker on the international stage 18 months before.

Still, with all of that quality came pressure. Colombia had undergone immense change after Copa America. They won just one of their first six games following the conclusion of the tournament, and they went seven games without scoring. A late surge in their World Cup qualifying efforts proved fruitless, and the team would end up missing the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

The federation's response was to appoint Argentine manager Nestor Lorenzo. The expansive tactician showed few qualms in clearing out the old heads, and ushered in a new generation. Out went Cuadrado and Radamel Falcao. In came youngster Jhon Duran, while James Rodriguez was offered an unlikely return to the side. And Diaz was the centre of the whole thing, entrusted with a starring role on the left wing.

His national team had to go without him for six months; a serious knee injury sustained with Liverpool cost him a chunk of the 2022-23 season. Still, he was a key part of the side as Lorenzo's new setup started to hum. Colombia tallied a famous victory over Germany, before beating Brazil and Paraguay. Not everything was perfect - Colombia were still drawing too frequently - but the Lorenzo revolution was well underway.

There is one fundamental issue in Diaz's game that has impacted his form this year: his inconsistency in front of goal. Diaz was among the more effective dribblers in the Premier League for Liverpool, completing the fourth-most take-ons in the league last season - a routine terror for opposing full-backs.

But once he got into those crucial positions, Diaz's quality was often elusive. The Colombian was, at times, infuriatingly ineffective in front of goal. He finished 10th in the league in big chances missed, and was found too often making the wrong decision - especially when given the time to think.

This is a footballer best suited to tearing up ground, playing at full pelt, and dominating off instinct alone. When it becomes a question of smarts over pumping legs, Diaz can sometimes fall flat.

And that is perhaps the biggest issue for Colombia in the coming weeks. Diaz has run hot and cold as a goal-scorer. His 13 in all competitions was tidy return, but a player of his quality, getting into the positions he does, really should be bagging more.

Fast forward to today, and Lorenzo has Los Cafeteros undefeated in 21 games. They are ranked 12th in the World, with a 5-1 battering of the 11th team - the US - under their belt. Rodriguez, once thought thoroughly past his best, has returned to the fray, and is showing signs of his old self as a No.10. Diaz is there too, often heavily marked but always willing to play provider for a dangerous counter-attacking side.

A glance at the rest of the field suggests that there is a real opportunity. Argentina go into the tournament as sure-fire favourites. The Albiceleste are largely unchanged from the side that won the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, while Lionel Messi is in fine touch for Inter Miami. Lionel Scaloni's men have showed few signs of slowing down. This is, in effect, their tournament to lose.

But outside of Argentina, Colombia might just have the best chance. Brazil come into the tournament in questionable form, having employed four managers in 18 months. And while there is hope to be found in Vinicius Jr and Endrick, the Selecao aren't balanced enough to seriously compete.

There could also be a challenge from Uruguay, but they don't quite have the depth or quality of this Colombia side. Yes, Argentina will be a tough opponent. But if there ever was a chance for the Cafeteros to make something happen in a major tournament, it's here in Copa America 2024.

It will start and end with Diaz. The winger wasn't at his best as Colombia thrashed the United States on Saturday, marked out of the game for long stretches by the surprisingly effective Joe Scally at right-back. But when given the chance to run, he was immensely effective, and clanged a shot off the post in the second half.

That was an unusually open game, Gregg Berhalter's more expansive second-half setup leaving Lorenzo's ample space to run into. Copa America play will likely not be that open. It will be feistier, chippier, and more intense. There aren't many back-and-forth encounters at this level. It is, in all likelihood, the kind of environment where DIaz tends to struggle.

Still, this is a global superstar with a chance to do something special. Diaz has proved in big games for club and country that he can stand up when needed. And in Colobia's best chance to win something in years, this could be the time when the 27-year-old becomes a national hero.