Luis Diaz and Darwin Nunez have both been omitted from Liverpool’s 22-man squad for the pre-season friendly against AC Milan in Hong Kong.
Reds manager Arne Slot has named the squad ahead of the clash with the Serie A giants, with Florian Wirtz starting, while new signing Hugo Ekitike, who joined the team on Thursday, also misses out.
Nunez has recently been linked with a move to Napoli, with additional interest reportedly coming from the Saudi Pro League.
Meanwhile, Luis Diaz is currently the subject of ongoing negotiations between Liverpool and Bayern Munich, who are said to be preparing a second bid exceeding £60million for the Colombian international.
Liverpool remain reluctant to sell Diaz. Having already rejected an offer from Barcelona in June, Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich have intensified their pursuit in recent days.
An initial £60million bid was turned down earlier this month, but discussions have since resumed.
It is believed Diaz is interested in exploring his options, especially after being informed that an improved contract extension would not be offered. The 28-year-old’s current deal runs until 2027.
Neither Diaz nor Nunez are involved in the friendly, as Slot names a front three of Mohamed Salah, Florian Wirtz, and teenage winger Rio Ngumoha, who has impressed during the summer schedule.
Slot is expected to provide an update on the absences of Nunez and Diaz after the Hong Kong match, which marks the end of Liverpool’s first leg of their Asia tour before they travel to Japan.
Wataru Endo, Joe Gomez, and Alexis Mac Allister are also absent, along with young goalkeepers Armin Pecsi and Kornel Misciur.
Gomez has returned to Merseyside following a minor Achilles injury.
It was decided that if he wasn’t fit to play in Asia, it would be better for him to continue his treatment at the AXA Training Centre. This leaves Liverpool with only two senior centre-backs for the rest of the tour.
Mac Allister has resumed training and is expected to be available for the upcoming Japan leg, provided he experiences no setbacks.
Midfielder Ryan Gravenberch is anticipated to start alongside captain Virgil van Dijk at centre-back, with Lucas Stephenson starting on the right and Andy Robertson on the left.
Tyler Morton and Dominik Szoboszlai will operate in midfield, with Harvey Elliott playing slightly ahead of the duo.
Liverpool: Alisson, Van Dijk, Szoboszlai, Salah, Elliott, Robertson, Gravenberch, Wirtz, Ngumoha, Morton, Stephenson.
Subs: Woodman, Mamardashvili, Konate, Jones, Gakpo, Tsimikas, Doak, Kerkez, Frimpong, Bradley, Nyoni.
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