The Premier League champions are over in Asia for pre-season and lost their first friendly 4-2 to AC Milan in Hong Kong.

They are back in action on Wednesday when they take on Yokohama F. Marinos in Japan but will be without their first-choice goalkeeper for the fixture.

As reported by James Pearce of The Athletic, among other journalists, the Brazilian was not present for Tuesday’s open training session and was given permission to leave the camp over a personal issue.

When will Alisson return for Liverpool?

Alisson will therefore miss Liverpool’s final game in Japan at the Nissan Stadium, with new goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili set to get the nod in between the sticks and further goalkeeping cover coming courtesy of Freddie Woodman, Armin Pecsi and Kornel Misciur.

Alisson Becker has left Liverpool’s pre-season camp. Image: Getty

The former Roma shotstopper is expected to rejoin the squad at the AXA Training Centre when they are back in the UK for a double-header with Athletic Club at Anfield on Monday 4 August.

Liverpool face the Basque outfit at 5pm before a second set of players will meet on the pitch at 8pm.

He has become the third player to leave Arne Slot‘s squad, following on from Joe Gomez’s departure due to an achilles injury and Luis Diaz bidding farewell to complete a £65 million switch to Bayern Munich.

Diaz arrived in Munich on Tuesday for his medical and contract signing.

Specific details on Alisson’s absence have not been disclosed, with neither the club or player providing an official comment.

Alisson is expected to reunite with his teammates in the UK. Image: Getty

Having began pre-season with games against Championship sides Preston and Stoke City, Liverpool will wrap up proceedings with the Community Shield against Crystal Palace at Wembley on Sunday 10 August.

Official debuts could be handed out to new signings Florian Wirtz, Jeremie Frimpong, Milos Kerkez, Mamardashvili and Hugo Ekitike, who have signed for a combined total of £204 million in a mammoth spending spree.

The Reds are still working towards a mega move for Newcastle striker Alexander Isak and are expected to make a bid for the wantaway Swede, who has not travelled with the Magpies for their pre-season tour of Asia.Featured Image Credit: Getty

Topics: Alisson, Alisson Becker, Liverpool

Josh Lawless

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Andy Robertson calls out Rio Ngumoha as x-rated comment picked up in Liverpool training footage

The experienced Scottish defender is maintaining high standards at Liverpool

James Taylor

Andy Robertson has appeared to call out youngster Rio Ngumoha, with an x-rated comment from the Scottish star overheard in new Liverpool pre-season training footage.

It comes after the legendary Scottish left back got a closer look at the 16-year-old’s full potential during Liverpool’s pre-season defeat to AC Milan on Saturday.

Ngumoha started on the left of a star-studded front three, alongside Florian Wirtz and Mo Salah.

After the game in Hong Kong, which ended in a 4-2 defeat for Liverpool, Robertson was full of praise for the England youth international.

He told The Anfield Wrap: “He’s a good kid and he’s got a fantastic head on his shoulders, especially when he’s got people like Mo Salah who can help him so much as well.

“We always try to help him and Trey [Nyoni].

“They’re so young but they’re such good kids and they’ve got a hell of a future ahead of themselves.

“You can just see them coming on every time and the more they train and play with us, the more they just get better and better. Obviously that’s the last two games I’ve played now with Rio in front of me and he just keeps on coming on.

“He’s got a hell of a future ahead of him but the here-and-now looks pretty good as well.”

Andrew Robertson in action for Liverpool (Image: Liverpool FC / Contributor via Getty)

However, Robertson was less complimentary of his teammate during a pre-season possession drill.

In a video posted by @TheRedmenTV on X, Robertson appeared to shout: “Ah Rio, f***ing complacency ya wee d**k.”

It is not clear what Ngumoha did to frustrate the Scotsman, but it highlights how promising youngsters can be kept grounded by experienced teammates.

How good is Rio Ngumoha?

He is still only 16, so he has a long career ahead of him, and he is highly regarded at Anfield.

After time in Chelsea’s academy, Nguomha joined the Reds last summer.

He was called up to the first-team squad for the first time in December 2024 for an EFL Cup tie.

Rio Ngumoha has a bright future at Liverpool (Image: AC Milan / Contributor via Getty)

And he was given his debut just a month later in an FA Cup third round tie against Accrington Stanley.

In doing so he became the youngest ever starter in Liverpool’s history.

Nguomha is also not short on confidence on what he believes he can achieve within the game.

Speaking on an episode of Inside The Academy late last year, Ngumoha said: “I truly believe I can win the Ballon d’Or one day.

“I want to be regarded as one of the best players to ever play football and be a legend of the game.”