Liverpool's Luis Diaz transfer called into question by baffled former manager

Former Argentina manager Alfio Basile has slammed Liverpool for signing Luis Diaz.

The Reds completed a £50million deal for the Colombia international, 25, last month after a blistering start to the season for Porto, scoring 16 goals in all competitions.

Several top European sides - including Tottenham - were interested in signing Diaz, yet the appeal of playing under Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool proved decisive.

Many believe the winger could be a potential successor to Mohamed Salah, who has just 17 months remaining on his existing deal and is approaching his 30th birthday.

Basile, however, wasn't impressed with Diaz in Colombia's recent World Cup qualifying defeats to Peru and Argentina. The new Liverpool star failed to score in both games.

"That Diaz who Liverpool bought... I didn’t see him do anything against Peru or Argentina," said Basile, as quoted by Sport Witness. "Why did Liverpool buy Diaz?"

Colombia are on the verge of missing out on their first World Cup finals since 2010 after slipping to seventh in the South American qualification table.

Brazil and Argentina have already reached the tournament in Qatar, while third-place Ecuador are guaranteed at least a play-off spot.

Uruguay are currently fourth in the table - occupying the last automatic qualification spot - while Peru are on course for a play-off berth. Chile and Colombia remain in the hunt.

Despite concerns, Diaz has an impressive CV. The talent, who's won titles in Colombia and Portugal, helped his nation reach the semi-finals of last summer's Copa America.

He finished the tournament as the joint-leading scorer - alongside Lionel Messi - and brought his impressive form into the current season.

Klopp got a look at Diaz earlier this term when