Slot explains Diaz absence amid Bayern interest as Liverpool lose to Milan in Hong Kong

Liverpool manager Arne Slot has revealed that Luis Diaz was left out of the squad for the 3-2 pre-season defeat to AC Milan due to ongoing speculation over the winger’s future.

The Colombia international, who remains under contract until 2027, has been the subject of transfer interest, with Bayern Munich reportedly seeing a £58 million bid turned down earlier in July. While Darwin Nunez was sidelined with a knock, Slot admitted Diaz’s omission was influenced by the current uncertainty surrounding his situation.

“There’s a lot of noise around Luis at the moment,” Slot said. “He’s training well, but we made the decision not to involve him for now.”

Liverpool have already bolstered their attacking options this summer, adding Florian Wirtz and Hugo Ekitike, and are said to be pursuing Newcastle forward Alexander Isak.

Diaz joined Liverpool from Porto in January 2022 for an initial £37m and played a key role in helping the Reds clinch the 2024–25 Premier League title.

Wirtz, the club’s record £116m signing from Bayer Leverkusen, was handed his first start against Milan at the sold-out Kai Tak Stadium, playing in a false nine role with Nunez and Diaz unavailable and Ekitike yet to debut.

Before kick-off, Liverpool paid tribute to Diogo Jota, who tragically died in a car crash in Spain earlier this month, by wearing warm-up shirts bearing his name and number. Club legend Sir Kenny Dalglish also laid a wreath on the pitch in his memory.

Milan edge entertaining friendly

Liverpool dominated the early stages of the game, but Milan struck first when Rafael Leao finished off a swift counter-attack by firing past Alisson Becker. Dominik Szoboszlai levelled the scores with a brilliant curling effort before the break.

However, defensive frailties cost the Reds after half-time. Ruben Loftus-Cheek restored Milan’s lead early in the second half, and Noah Okafor made it 3-1 with a composed strike beyond new goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili. Cody Gakpo nodded in a late reply from Ibrahima Konate’s cross, but a late defensive error between Mamardashvili and Kostas Tsimikas gifted Okafor his second and sealed the win for Milan.

Liverpool now travel to Japan to face Yokohama F. Marinos on Wednesday.

Wirtz impresses in makeshift role

Despite playing in an unfamiliar central role, Wirtz impressed with his intelligence and technical ability, linking play well and showing glimpses of the creativity that made him one of Europe’s most sought-after midfielders. He was supported by 16-year-old Rio Ngumoha on the left and Mohamed Salah on the right before being replaced at half-time.

Fans also got their first look at new full-backs Jeremie Frimpong and Milos Kerkez, both introduced after the break.

Defensive depth under scrutiny

Liverpool’s defensive resources were stretched further after news emerged that Joe Gomez had returned to England for treatment on an Achilles problem, leaving Slot with just two fit senior centre-backs.

Virgil van Dijk played the first half, while Ibrahima Konate took over in the second. With Gomez absent and Jarell Quansah recently sold to Bayer Leverkusen, midfielder Ryan Gravenberch was deployed as a makeshift centre-back alongside Van Dijk.

Andy Robertson and Tsimikas have also been asked to fill in during pre-season, highlighting Liverpool’s shortage in that department.

Slot, however, played down concerns: “Ryan did a good job at centre-back, even if we prefer him as a holding midfielder. Wataru Endo is also capable of playing there. Yes, we haven’t replaced Quansah yet, but we’re not too worried.”

The Reds have been linked with a move for Crystal Palace defender Marc Guehi, and Gomez’s injury may increase the urgency to bring in reinforcements at the back.