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Liverpool touched down in Hong Kong on Monday after a lengthy flight, and the players wasted little time getting down to business on the training ground.
The Reds are in Asia for friendlies against AC Milan and Yokohama F. Marinos, with the former taking place in Hong Kong and the latter taking place in Yokohama, Japan. Liverpool boss Arne Slot has taken a strong squad with him for the tour, with Italian winger Federico Chiesa the only notable senior absentee; he was left behind due to a minor fitness issue.
Here's what we spotted as Liverpool got its preseason tour underway...
Mac Allister trains alone
Alexis Mac Allister did not play in either of Liverpool's games against Preston or Stoke earlier this month, having also missed the final two games of last season. Slot confirmed in May that the Argentine had been playing through the pain in the title run-in.
"Alexis will not play for us this season anymore," he said. "He needs rest at this moment in time to recover completely and to be ready for the start of next season, but it will be no problem for him to be back next season.
"I think he played throughout the last part of the season with the Argentinian mentality he has. Never gives up, no matter what he feels, but it is not smart to play a player that has, not a big injury but something to take a risk with."
It is understood that Mac Allister has been training separately from the main group ever since the players returned to preseason training, and that is what he continued to do during the first session in Hong Kong.
Reds take in the sights
Ahead of the on-field session, Liverpool's players strolled around Hong Kong and took in the sights. Youngsters Ben Doak and Luca Stephenson walked together, as did fellow new goalkeepers Giorgi Mamardashvili and Armin Pecsi.
Many players were holding umbrellas as the grey skies above looked particularly menacing, but the bleak weather didn't dampen spirits as there were plenty of smiles on show among the squad.
New goalkeeping coach gets to work
Liverpool overhauled its goalkeeping department a few weeks ago as Claudio Taffarel and Fabian Otte departed to make room for the returning Xavi Valero, who is the new head of first-team goalkeeping coaching, having previously worked at Liverpool during Rafa Benitez's time in charge.
Valero was on the training field alongside a number of new Liverpool goalkeepers. Alisson has been at Anfield since 2018, but Giorgi Mamardashvili, Armin Pecsi, and Freddie Woodman are all new recruits this summer.
Diaz present amid Bayern links
We already knew that Diaz had traveled to Asia, so his presence in Hong Kong comes as no surprise, but it will be interesting to see whether the Colombian stays with the squad for the duration of the tour.
Diaz is desperate to join Bayern Munich, according to German outlet Bild, and it is claimed that both Bayern and Liverpool are optimistic that a deal can be reached over a move to Bavaria for Diaz.
Diaz is said to have already agreed to a $315,000-a-week four-year deal with the German giant.
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