Former Everton director of football Marcel Brands has confirmed the club were interested in Luis Diaz.

The Colombian winger has excelled at Liverpool since arriving from FC Porto in January 2022.

Diaz, who has 15 goals in 59 games for the Reds, could have been a Toffee instead.

Brands, told AD Sportwereld, via Behind The Game: "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."