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Liverpool has taken a 29-man squad to Asia for its preseason tour of the Far East, but Arne Slot and his players will soon welcome a new colleague.
Hugo Ekitike is poised to jet off to Hong Kong to join his future colleagues, having completed a medical in London prior to finalizing his transfer to Anfield. The Reds have struck a deal to secure the forward from Eintracht Frankfurt, and personal terms with the Frenchman have already been settled.
It's yet to be seen whether Liverpool will recruit any additional players during its stint in Asia, as it plans to stay in the Far East until the end of the month. Liverpool is scheduled to face AC Milan at Kai Tak Sports Park on Saturday.
The Reds will then journey to Japan to take on Yokohama F. Marinos in the second and concluding match of their tour at the Nissan Stadium on Wednesday, July 30, before heading back to Merseyside. While Ekitike is now joining the Reds, the futures of several of his new teammates remain uncertain.
Luis Diaz and Darwin Nunez persistently feature in rumors about potential Liverpool departures, while Ibrahima Konate is now entering the final year of his contract. Harvey Elliott also continues to be associated with a possible move, having found himself on the outskirts of Slot's squad last season.
In other news, it wouldn't come as a shock if players like Ben Doak, Tyler Morton, and Luca Stephenson departed - either on loan or permanently - before the summer concludes. But what about the players who didn't make the trip to the Far East? We take a gander at some of the lads who have previously donned the first team kit but were left behind...
Federico Chiesa
Despite netting a goal in Liverpool's preseason victory over Stoke City just hours before, Federico Chiesa was notably absent from the squad jetting off to Asia. The Italian's no-show was chalked up to a minor issue, yet rumors continue to swirl about his potential departure from Anfield after a year on the periphery following his transfer from Juventus. The forward has previously confessed he'd be open to a Serie A comeback, and he'll need to see more pitch time if he hopes to secure a spot in Italy's World Cup squad. He remains linked with a slew of clubs, including Napoli, AS Roma, AC Milan, Juventus, Atalanta, Como, and Atletico Madrid.
Stefan Bajectic
Stefan Bajcetic had a rollercoaster of a season on loan last term, initially finding it tough at Red Bull Salzburg before ending the season on a high note at Las Palmas. However, his season was cut short by a hamstring injury, which saw the Spanish side relegated, and he subsequently underwent surgery. Yet to make an appearance in preseason, he is currently on the mend. Meanwhile, ESPN reports that Real Betis, Valencia, and Rayo Vallecano are all keen on signing the Spaniard.
James McConnell
James McConnell, who was due to return from injury this summer, has been left out of Liverpool's Far East tour due to a minor setback. The Daily Mail suggests that he is on the verge of signing a new long-term contract with the Reds before heading out on loan, with Ipswich Town, West Bromwich Albion, and Derby County among the interested parties, along with clubs from the Bundesliga.
Jayden Danns
Jayden Danns, who missed most of last season due to a back injury, is being handled with care by Liverpool this summer. Despite training with the first team at the AXA Training Centre, he has yet to make an appearance. The decision was made for Danns to continue his rehabilitation in Merseyside rather than endure the physical demands of travelling to Asia. A loan move could be on the cards for him later in the summer.
Owen Beck
Owen Beck, who had a successful loan spell at Blackburn Rovers last season before a hamstring injury cut it short, has fully recovered and even scored twice in last weekend's 8-0 win against Celtic, despite not being included in the first team squad. Left out of the squad for the Wigan Athletic match on Tuesday, The Telegraph's John Percy suggests that the Welsh player is poised to reunite with his former Rovers manager John Eustace and join Derby County on a season-long loan, with a medical planned for later in the week.
Kaide Gordon
Kaide Gordon had a challenging time on loan at both Norwich City and Portsmouth last season, starting only one of his 16 appearances as he struggled to regain form after a lengthy injury break with Liverpool. Training with the U21s this summer, the winger scored twice and provided an assist in the young Reds' victory against Celtic, while he also started the friendly draw with Wigan Athletic. It wouldn't be surprising if the 20-year-old opted for another loan spell this season.
Lewis Koumas
Lewis Koumas made a positive impression on loan at Stoke City last season as the Potters successfully dodged relegation from the Championship, and is once again drawing attention from the English second tier. The Wales international came on at half-time in the Liverpool first team's opening pre-season friendly victory over Preston North End, but has since played for the U21s against both Celtic and Wigan. Another loan move could be in the pipeline for the 19-year-old.
Amara Nallo
Similar to Koumas, Amara Nallo was brought on at halftime against Preston before playing for the U21s against Celtic and Wigan. The center-back made his first-team debut for Liverpool last season, coming on as a late substitute against PSV Eindhoven, only to be shown the red card shortly after for a professional foul.
Luke Chambers
Luke Chambers has yet to make an appearance in preseason, following a promising loan stint at Wigan Athletic that was cut short due to a back injury. The 21-year-old showed promise with the Latics during the latter half of the 2023-24 season, before returning last summer. However, he was restricted to just 13 appearances due to injury and returned to Liverpool after the issue flared up again following an attempted comeback. He will continue his recovery at the Academy.
Calum Scanlon
Calum Scanlon had a similar experience to Chambers last season, spending the term on loan at Millwall. The 20-year-old was restricted to just four appearances after suffering a severe hamstring injury shortly after his return from a stress fracture in his back. Yet to make an appearance in pre-season, he will also continue his rehabilitation at the Academy.
Calvin Ramsay
Calvin Ramsay has faced numerous setbacks since joining Liverpool in the summer of 2022, with his first season at the club cut short by injury. The 21-year-old has spent the past two seasons on loan at Preston North End, Bolton Wanderers, Wigan Athletic, and Kilmarnock, but he has been limited to just 26 appearances, of which only nine were starts. Injuries, illness, and a dip in form have hampered the Scottish international, but he has participated in both of Liverpool U21s' summer friendlies against Celtic and Wigan. No longer categorised as a U21s player, and having lost his homegrown status following his loan return to Scotland, it's likely his future lies away from Liverpool.
Rhys Williams
Last season, Rhys Williams was on loan at Morecambe, netting two goals in 38 appearances across all competitions as they faced relegation from League Two. Despite such disappointment, it was a promising individual season for the center-back, who failed to make an appearance for either Aberdeen or Port Vale in 2023-24, and had moves to both Swansea City and Blackpool terminated in the previous two campaigns. Having not made a senior appearance for Liverpool since 2021, the 24-year-old is not part of Anfield's first team plans. He has played for the Under-21s against both Celtic and Wigan.
Some of the rest...
Trent Kone-Doherty made his Liverpool debut against Plymouth Argyle in the FA Cup last February, but has stayed with the U21s for pre-season. The 19-year-old scored against Celtic and also started against Wigan. Like Kone-Doherty, Isaac Mabaya also made his debut against Plymouth last season. Having spent pre-season with the U21s, he started against both Celtic and Wigan.
Kieran Morrison and Tommy Pilling, who were previously unused substitutes for Liverpool's first team, have now seen action with the U21s against Celtic and Wigan, with Morrison even finding the back of the net.
James Balagizi, a familiar face in senior matchday squads despite not having made an appearance, has been featured as a substitute in both U21 games against Celtic and Wigan. The 21-year-old, who has had loan stints at Crawley Town, Wigan Athletic, and Kilmarnock, also spent some time trialling at Swedish side Osters IF earlier this summer.
Meanwhile, Ranel Young and Fabian Mrozek, who have also warmed the bench for the first team in the past, are yet to make their mark in pre-season.
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