Marcel Brands has confirmed Everton were interested in signing now-Liverpool winger Luis Diaz back in 2021, but Rafael Benitez prevented the club from completing a deal.

Diaz, 26, signed for Jurgen Klopp’s Reds in January 2022 from Porto. He has since scored 15 goals in 59 appearances in a Liverpool shirt and struck a 95th-minute equaliser during Liverpool’s 1-1 draw at Luton on Sunday.

However, it could have been much different for Diaz if Everton had signed him six months prior.

The Toffees wanted to bring in Diaz after scoring an impressive 16 goals in 28 appearances for Porto during the 2020/21 season.

However, despite only being appointed that summer, Benitez blocked Everton from signing the Colombian international as was “unsure on the player”.

That’s according to former Everton director of football Marcel Brands, who was working alongside Benitez before his departure in December 2021.

He told AD Sportwereld: “My time at Everton was difficult, there was a lot of uncertainty surrounding the Football Club with the changing of Managers.

I wanted to install my philosophy and structure into the Club which would allow Everton to progress but decisions from above did not allow this.

In the Summer of 2021 we were looking to bring in Luis Diaz from Porto, I was working hard in making James Rodriguez go to Porto as part of the deal that would bring Diaz to the Club however Rafa Benitez (Everton Manager at the time) ruled against as he was unsure on the player.

“At this time the Manager held significant clout with the Owner. This was just one example of the difficulties I experienced as Director of Football at Everton.

I’m not prepared to speak on the details of how my exit from Everton came about in respect to the Club but I believe under Sean Dyche and Kevin Thelwell the Club can get the stability it so badly needs.

Benitez ended up lasting just seven months at Goodison Park and was sacked following a 2-1 defeat at Norwich, with Frank Lampard replacing him at the helm.

During his time at the club, Benitez won seven of his 22 matches in charge. The Spaniard is now in charge of La Liga side Celta Vigo.

Diaz, meanwhile, has impressed on the other half of Merseyside, quickly becoming a regular for Klopp’s side.

Injury issues have dented his opportunities, but he already has three Premier League goals this term, only one behind his best return.