Liverpool fans were looking for transfer clues in Arne Slot’s team selection for Saturday’s friendly against AC Milan.
With the window still very much open, and the Reds incredibly active, there was always going to be some interest in the decisions made by Slot.
As perhaps expected, Luis Diaz was left out of the Liverpool squad as he continues to be linked with a move to Bayern Munich.
Darwin Nunez could leave as well, and it was telling that the No. 9 was also omitted from the group.
While Joe Gomez and Alexis Mac Allister’s respective absences were explained as being injury-related, eagle-eyed supporters also noticed that Wataru Endo was not in the matchday squad.
Rumours that Endo could leave have died down recently, but have still not totally disappeared, leading to worry that the Japan captain could be on his way out. Thankfully, journalist James Pearce has explained that that is not the case.
Wataru Endo misses out through illness
Endo has quickly become a real cult figure at Liverpool. Although his lack of game time does mean that an exit would not be a complete surprise.
Bundesliga sides were said to be looking at Endo in the lead-up to the summer and in some ways a transfer back to Germany would make sense for the midfielder.
However, Endo is also still important to Slot and he will also be desperate to be involved as Liverpool head to his home country for a match against Yokohama F. Marinos on Wednesday.
The 32-year-old may not play by the sounds of it, but according to Pearce, it is not because of an impending move away.
“No Wataru Endo tonight due to illness,” the reporter posted on X.
The Japanese’s absence gave a chance to Tyler Morton, who started in midfield, with Ryan Gravenberch shifted to centre-back.
Fabrizio Romano delivers Darwin Nunez and Luis Diaz update
With Endo’s absence safely explained away, the headline news from Slot’s team was that neither Diaz nor Nunez made the squad.
With both in contention to leave in the coming weeks, journalist Fabrizio Romano gave an update on the situations of both once the Liverpool team news had been released.
“Luis Diaz, not even on the bench for Liverpool today in friendly game,” Romano posted “As negotiations with FC Bayern continue, the two clubs are in direct talks on daily basis and Luis wants to leave.”
“Darwin Nunez, also not even on the bench for Liverpool today as he’s still 100% expected to leave.”
With the futures of both intrinsically linked to whether the Reds make a play to sign Alexander Isak, fans will be intrigued to see where these sagas go next.
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