As Liverpool announced their 29-man squad for the upcoming **pre-season tour of Asia**, fans were left in shock — and some in tears — after noticing the glaring absence of **two high-profile attacking stars**: **Luis Díaz** and **Federico Chiesa**.
The Reds, under new head coach **Arne Slot**, are gearing up for a major campaign following their title-winning season, and preparations have already begun with emphatic friendly wins over Preston (3-1) and Stoke City (5-0). However, the club’s latest squad announcement for the Far East leg of pre-season — where they will face **AC Milan in Hong Kong** and **Yokohama F. Marinos in Japan** — has sparked fresh speculation and uncertainty about the futures of two fan favourites.
### **Luis Díaz Omission Fuels Bayern Transfer Speculation**
Perhaps the most eye-catching absence is **Luis Díaz**, a key attacking figure since joining Liverpool in 2022. The Colombian winger, who has been at the centre of **intense transfer interest from Bayern Munich**, will not travel with the squad — a decision widely interpreted as a **strong hint that his Anfield days may be numbered**.
Reports surfaced earlier this month that Bayern had submitted a **£58.5 million bid**, which Liverpool swiftly rejected. However, Díaz was also missing from the squad that featured in the behind-closed-doors win over Stoke — adding fuel to the theory that a deal might be nearing behind the scenes.
Given his explosive playing style, pressing ability, and proven versatility, Díaz’s departure would mark a significant change in Liverpool’s attacking setup. While no official reason has been given for his exclusion, fans and pundits alike are reading between the lines — and many fear that Liverpool are preparing for life without him.
### **Chiesa Left Out Amid Exit Rumours – Despite Recent Goal**
Also absent is **Federico Chiesa**, the Italian international whose move to Liverpool just last summer was seen as a major coup. Signed for around **£10 million**, the former Juventus man showed flashes of brilliance but struggled for regular minutes, featuring just **12 times across all competitions** and scoring once.
Despite scoring in the win over Stoke and appearing sharp in recent training footage, **Fabrizio Romano** has reported that Chiesa is “**expected to leave this summer**.” While **James Pearce** of *The Athletic* has stated that Chiesa’s omission is due to a **minor fitness concern**, many fans aren’t convinced — and the general mood suggests that supporters are bracing themselves for a double exit.
### **Fan Reaction: “I was okay until I saw this…”**
Supporters haven’t taken the news lightly. The absence of two exciting forwards — especially one as beloved as Díaz — has triggered a wave of emotional reactions on social media.
> “They can hear me crying in Liverpool with this news ffs,” one devastated fan wrote.
> “I was okay until I saw this,” said another.
> “We definitely need another attacker or striker if Chiesa is leaving too,” one fan urged, echoing concerns about depth in the front line.
> “Not Chiesa, man. I don’t want him to go,” another pleaded.
This fan sentiment highlights a deeper unease: while the club is active in the transfer market, letting go of two offensive players — especially ones capable of unlocking defences — could risk weakening the squad in a season with high expectations.
### **Who’s In: Wirtz, Frimpong, and a Surprise Role for Szoboszlai**
The tour squad still boasts plenty of firepower and fresh intrigue. New signings **Florian Wirtz**, **Jeremie Frimpong**, and **Milos Kerkez** are all included and set to feature prominently.
Also catching attention is **Dominik Szoboszlai**, who **lined up at right-back** against Stoke — a tactical surprise that suggests Slot is experimenting with dynamic in-game roles for his midfielders.
Familiar faces like **Mo Salah**, **Virgil van Dijk**, **Alisson**, **Darwin Núñez**, and **Alexis Mac Allister** lead a squad brimming with both star power and youthful promise. Talents like **Ben Doak**, **Rio Ngumoha**, and **Trey Nyoni** could also feature heavily during the tour, especially with two senior attackers now out of the picture.
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### **What This Means for the Summer Transfer Window**
The omissions of Díaz and Chiesa will almost certainly spark movement in the transfer window. With Liverpool linked to multiple attacking targets, including **Alexander Isak**, **Hugo Ekitike**, and other emerging forwards, fans are now expecting replacements if these departures are finalized.
Slot’s squad evolution is clearly underway — but how the club replaces the flair and explosiveness of Díaz and the versatility of Chiesa could shape the narrative of Liverpool’s 2025/26 season.
### **Pre-Season Tour Squad in Full:**
**Goalkeepers**: Alisson, Woodman, Mamardashvili, Misciur
**Defenders**: Gomez, Van Dijk, Konate, Tsimikas, Robertson, Kerkez, Frimpong, Bradley
**Midfielders**: Endo, Szoboszlai, Mac Allister, Jones, Gravenberch, Morton, Nyoni, Pecsi
**Forwards**: Salah, Nunez, Gakpo, Elliott, Doak, Wirtz, Ngumoha, Stephenson
