Alexis Mac Allister responds Darwin Nunez’s message after Liverpool absence
Liverpool were without both Darwin Nunez and Alexis Mac Allister for differing reasons in their pre-season friendly against AC Milan.
Arne Slot‘s side are halfway through their pre-season schedule ahead of their meeting with FA Cup Final victors Crystal Palace in the Community Shield on 10 August, as an expensive summer rebuild continues.
Jeremie Frimpong, Florian Wirtz, Milos Kerkez, Giorgi Mamardashvili and Hugo Ekitike have all arrived for close to £300million combined, and Wirtz started up front against Milan after his club-record transfer.
Liverpool have also brought in over £50m in transfer fees after the departures of Trent Alexander-Arnold and Jarell Quansah among others, but further exits are planned as Slot’s huge spending spree continues.
Nunez exit edges closer amid Liverpool v Milan absence
Slot’s massive overhaul is by no means done yet, but in order to fund another record-breaking move for Newcastle United striker Alexander Isak, Nunez is one of three big names who may be sold this summer.
Nunez, Harvey Elliott and Luis Diaz’s respective sales are tipped to bring in the £130m Liverpool need in order to make good on their interest in Isak, and only Elliott was involved in Slot’s squad to face AC Milan.
The Uruguayan may have been absent from Liverpool‘s matchday squad, but didn’t let that dampen his spirits in an Instagram post (27 July) with a series of photos from their pre-season tour of Hong Kong.
Mac Allister was also absent against Milan due to a hernia injury and posted a comment to ask; “oh yeah?”, and Nunez replied with “the next one a smile” after one image showed the Argentine frowning.
Liverpool exit looms for Nunez amid transfer developments
Football Insider Verdict
Diaz is closing in on a move to Bayern Munich which will earn Liverpool close to £70million, and while this helps to clarify his absence from the Reds’ latest friendly, Nunez’s snubbing is yet to be explained.
Liverpool’s signing of Ekitike and pursuit of Isak will demote Nunez to third choice at best among their striking ranks, and it’s clear Slot wants to sell his number nine this summer amid interest from Napoli.
Napoli and Saudi Pro League sides such as Al-Hilal are yet to make good on their interest in Nunez, however, and the longer the striker’s transfer impasse continues, Liverpool’s attempt to sign an upgrade in the form of Isak could also hit the buffers.