Liverpool have made a habit of targeting South American stars over the years.
The likes of Alisson Becker, Fabinho, Maxi Rodriguez, Philippe Coutinho, Roberto Firmino and Luis Suarez have all graced the Anfield pitch, each bringing their own unique qualities to the side.
Luis Diaz could be about to become the latest name to be added to this list, providing the 25-year-old is able to successfully complete a medical on the back of Liverpool and Porto agreeing a transfer fee.
It is clear to see why the Reds have tried to swoop in ahead of Tottenham Hotspur for the services of the right-footed winger, who has taken his goalscoring numbers to another level this season.
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Diaz has already bettered his tally of last campaign (11 goals in all competitions) and has found the back of the net 16 times in 28 outings to solidify his status as a crucial player for his club.
Success has also followed on the international stage with Colombia, having ended as the joint top-scorer at last summer’s Copa America alongside a certain Lionel Messi.
Representing Liverpool would be the next step big in his blossoming career, as well as making him the first Colombian to feature for the Reds’ first-team in the process.
But things could have been different in this respect.
A name you may have forgotten about at Liverpool is Anderson Arroyo, a Colombian defender snapped up by the Reds in February 2018.
He came to Liverpool’s attention after impressing at the 2017 South American Youth Championships, resulting in a subsequent successful trial at the club’s Kirkby Academy.
Yet to make an appearance from the club since joining from Fortaleza CEIF, a succession of loan spells has seen the youngster trying to return to Anfield with somewhat of a point to prove.
Immediately after being acquired by Liverpool, Arroyo was sent on an 18-month loan to Real Mallorca and was placed in the Spanish side’s B-team from the get-go.
This was cut short at the end of the 2017/18 season as the 22-year-old sealed a temporary switch to Belgian side Gent alongside former Reds striker Taiwo Awoniyi, though failed to make a senior appearance.
Top-flight Czech outfit Mlada Boleslav were the next team to take a chance on Arroyo the following year, which again saw the Colombian stuck with a B-team and unable to play a key role.
His two loan destinations since then have both been in Spain, at Salamanca and Mirandes respectively, where he has begun to make his mark.
Currently operating in the Spanish second tier with Mirandes, Arroyo has been a mainstay within the side and has not missed a single league match this term.
Positioned just above the relegation zone in LaLiga 2, he will have hopes of ensuring safety during what has been a valuable learning experience.
Out of contract at Liverpool in the summer, the likelihood is Arroyo will have to pursue his dreams of first-team football elsewhere.
Speaking in 2020, however, he had refused to give up on his ‘dream’ of showing Reds supporters his talent and was determined to do everything in his power to turn this into a reality.
“The truth is that it is my goal, my wish, my dream to be able to make my debut for Liverpool,” he told WFI.
“That is why, every day, I want to do things in the best way. I want to give everything and keep learning. I have to be there and I will give all I have to get there.
“My future goal is to play for Liverpool and to be able to consolidate myself in the first team. It is what I have longed for since I signed for the club, and I hope that dream comes true.”
The writing looks on the wall for Arroyo at Anfield, but Diaz looks set to take on the challenge of being the Colombian star to carve out a career at the club.
