Overview

• Joe Gomez returned early from the Hong Kong leg of Liverpool’s pre-season tour after picking up a minor Achilles problem in training.
• Arne Slot said the defender will receive treatment and further checks in England before rejoining the squad under better conditions.
• Gomez’s absence leaves Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konaté as the only fit senior centre-backs available for the remaining Asia fixtures.
• Liverpool sanctioned Jarell Quansah’s move to Bayer Leverkusen and has identified Crystal Palace’s Marc Guehi as its top target to strengthen the backline.
• Luis Diaz and Darwin Nunez were omitted from the opening tour matches amid ongoing uncertainty over their transfer futures.