Liverpool’s pre-season tour of Asia has been rocked by the sudden departure of star goalkeeper Alisson Becker, who has returned to Brazil for personal reasons, as confirmed by manager Arne Slot. The reigning Premier League champions, currently navigating a challenging pre-season, have now lost three key players from their touring squad, raising concerns about their preparations for the upcoming season.
Alisson, a cornerstone of Liverpool’s success in recent years, left the team ahead of their friendly clash against Yokohama F Marinos in Tokyo. The decision came after Liverpool’s 4-2 defeat to AC Milan in Hong Kong, where new signing Giorgi Mamardashvili stepped in to replace the Brazilian in goal. Speaking to club media, Slot explained, “He had to go back to Brazil for private reasons. That’s far from ideal – first of all for the private reasons, second of all for him to not be there in a game like this and in pre-season it’s also not ideal if you miss out on part of the pre-season. But again, private life is more important in these matters than joining a game today.”
The goalkeeper’s absence marks the third high-profile exit from Liverpool’s pre-season tour. Defender Joe Gomez was the first to depart after sustaining a minor Achilles injury before the AC Milan game. Despite the setback, Slot remains optimistic about Gomez’s recovery, stating, “Joe Gomez only has a minor injury. He’s been good for us last season as well. We have enough options left.” The manager also highlighted the squad’s depth at centre-back, pointing to Virgil van Dijk, Ryan Gravenberch, and Wataru Endo as viable options, despite Endo typically playing as a central midfielder.
The most recent departure was winger Luis Diaz, who left the squad on Monday to finalize a £65m move to Bayern Munich. Diaz expressed his excitement about the transfer, saying, “I’m very happy, it means a lot to me to be part of FC Bayern. They’re one of the biggest clubs in the world. I want to help my new team with my way of playing football and my character. My goal is to win every possible title, and that’s what we’ll work for every day as a team.” Bayern’s sporting director Christoph Freund praised Diaz’s versatility, noting, “Luis creates a real goal threat and is a scorer, who at the same time works incredibly hard for his team. He’s quick, a versatile footballer and brings an intense style of play to the game.”
Liverpool’s pre-season struggles, compounded by these departures, have raised questions about the squad’s readiness for the new campaign. While Slot remains confident in the team’s depth, the loss of Alisson, Gomez, and Diaz—key figures in Liverpool’s recent successes—has cast a shadow over their preparations. Fans will be hoping for swift resolutions to these challenges as the Reds gear up for another competitive season.