Slot Breaks Silence on Díaz and Núñez Absences as Liverpool Fall to AC Milan in Hong Kong
Liverpool’s 4-2 defeat to AC Milan in Hong Kong was overshadowed not just by the result, but by the absence of two of their biggest stars: Luis Díaz and Darwin Núñez. As fans speculated wildly, manager Arne Slot addressed the growing questions post-match, offering clarity—but also raising fresh uncertainty.
🔴 Luis Díaz’s Future in Doubt
Slot confirmed that Luis Díaz was deliberately left out of the matchday squad due to ongoing transfer discussions. The Colombian winger, linked heavily with both Barcelona and Bayern Munich, has two years remaining on his Liverpool contract, but his future appears increasingly uncertain.
“Yes, Luis Díaz was excluded today due to speculation regarding his future,” Slot stated bluntly.
Barcelona, now out of the race after signing Marcus Rashford on loan, have shifted focus. Bayern, however, remain in pursuit, reportedly tabling a second offer after Liverpool rejected an initial £58 million bid.
⚠️ Núñez Sidelines ‘Precautionary’
Darwin Núñez, another player surrounded by exit rumors, was also missing—but for different reasons. Slot explained that the Uruguayan forward was dealing with a minor fitness concern and was rested as a precaution. His absence, while not transfer-related, has done little to ease the growing uncertainty around his role in Slot’s evolving system.
🚑 More Missing Names
In addition to Díaz and Núñez, several other key players were unavailable:
- Joe Gomez: Returned to Merseyside after Achilles issues. Slot confirmed the defender is undergoing further assessment in England.
- Wataru Endo: Missed the match due to illness.
- Alexis Mac Allister: Still building fitness post-injury, expected to miss the next friendly vs Yokohama FM.
- Hugo Ekitike: New signing not yet debuted. Given additional time to settle, he is expected to feature on Wednesday.
⚽ Wirtz Shows Promise Despite Loss
The match also marked Florian Wirtz’s first start in front of fans. The German midfielder impressed in flashes, showcasing the vision and creativity that earned his £116 million move to Anfield. However, his influence wasn’t enough to prevent Liverpool from being outclassed by a Noah Okafor-inspired AC Milan, who capitalized on defensive errors to seal the win.
🔍 What’s Next for Liverpool?
The Reds travel next to Japan, where Arne Slot will hope for clearer skies—both on and off the pitch. But with transfer speculation swirling and injuries beginning to pile up, Liverpool’s pre-season is already full of talking points before a competitive ball has even been kicked.
