Liverpool manager Arne Slot has confirmed that Luis Díaz was left out of the squad for the club’s 4-2 pre-season loss to AC Milan due to ongoing speculation surrounding the Colombian forward’s future at Anfield.
The Reds were defeated in their opening match of the pre-season tour in Hong Kong, with Milan substitute Noah Okafor netting twice in the second half to secure victory for the Serie A side. While much of the focus was on the result, Díaz’s absence sparked significant attention amid growing transfer rumours linking him to German giants Bayern Munich.
Speaking after the match, Slot addressed the situation directly. “In Lucho’s situation, it was [due to speculation], yeah,” he said. “There’s a lot of rumours around him lately and I cannot go into that. He’s training really well with us, but we’ve decided for now not to play him yet.”
The 27-year-old winger has reportedly emerged as a priority signing for Bayern Munich this summer, with talks between clubs said to be ongoing. Díaz joined Liverpool in January 2022 and has since become a key figure in the squad, known for his pace, flair, and attacking creativity.
Slot also clarified that striker Darwin Núñez was unavailable for the match due to injury. “In Darwin’s situation, he has trained really well and played a few good games for us already this season, but he was injured so we didn’t take the risk,” Slot explained. “That’s part of pre-season—the boys need to build up match fitness, and that’s always a fine balance.”
In Díaz’s absence, new club-record signing Florian Wirtz was deployed through the middle, marking his first major outing in a red shirt as Liverpool continue preparations for the upcoming Premier League season.
While Slot remained tight-lipped about the exact details of any potential Díaz transfer, the decision not to field him has only added fuel to the speculation. As Liverpool fans await clarity on the winger’s future, the club’s pre-season campaign continues under the watchful eye of a manager looking to rebuild and re-energize the squad for the season ahead.
Be the first to know. Tap to join us on Telegram.
Discover more from Scoop Hub
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.