Liverpool’s record signing Hugo Ekitike made his unofficial debut in their friendly against Yokohama F. Marinos, stepping in as a focal point in attack amid ongoing interest in Newcastle’s Alexander Isak. The £79 million French forward was absent from the recent 4–2 loss to Milan but started in front of a full crowd in Japan, bringing energy and movement to Liverpool’s front line.

From the outset, Ekitike appeared eager to prove his worth. He was involved throughout the first half, contributing with active runs and intelligent positioning both on and off the ball. His presence was felt with a clever front-post backheel that nearly created a scoring chance, forcing a save from Marinos’ goalkeeper Park Il-gyu.

Despite these promising moments, the overall opening half mirrored Liverpool’s lackluster display. The difficult playing surface impacted the team’s rhythm, and Ekitike struggled with some loose touches amid limited service. His aerial threat was apparent during set pieces, leveraging his height, though he was unable to connect cleanly with a key corner.

Ekitike was substituted at halftime as Liverpool manage the integration of their new acquisition carefully. While the performance was not standout, the glimpses of potential and work rate were encouraging. Liverpool fans will hope the French striker will adapt quickly as the Reds prepare for upcoming friendlies back at Anfield against Athletic Club and the Community Shield clash with Crystal Palace at Wembley.

The coming weeks will be critical for Ekitike to find his best form ahead of the Premier League season. His debut offers a foundation to build on, blending his style with Liverpool’s demanding standards.

Liverpool’s transfer activity this summer has taken a defining turn with the sale of winger Luis Díaz to Bayern Munich. The transfer, reportedly worth £65.5 million ($87.9 million), marks a significant profit for the Reds and provides impetus for further moves in the ongoing transfer window.

Díaz’s switch to Bayern places him in the footsteps of fellow former Liverpool standout Sadio Mané, with hopes that his spell at the German club will be more productive. Meanwhile, Liverpool are eyeing several important transactions to reinforce their squad.

Darwin Núñez, a signing who has struggled to deliver on expectations, has been linked with a move away from Anfield. Despite his frustrating inconsistencies and limited role last season, Liverpool are holding out for a substantial fee near £45 million ($60.4 million). Although Napoli initially appeared a contender, their recent signing of Lorenzo Lucca has ruled them out, leaving potential suitors in the Saudi Pro League as probable destinations.

Liverpool have made notable additions with the record signing of Florian Wirtz from Bayer Leverkusen and the capture of Hugo Ekitiké from Eintracht Frankfurt. Interest in Newcastle United’s Alexander Isak has re-emerged, despite the club’s reluctance to sell and a hefty price tag estimated around £150 million ($201.3 million). Such a transfer would cement Liverpool’s 2025 summer window as the most expensive in history, aided by the funds from asset sales including Díaz and Núñez.

Harvey Elliott’s future is also under review. The young midfielder, hindered by injury and limited opportunities, appears ready to seek regular first-team football elsewhere. His performances for England U21s and potential value have attracted interest from clubs like Tottenham Hotspur.

Defensive concerns persist at Anfield following the departure of Trent Alexander-Arnold to Real Madrid. Central defender Ibrahima Konaté’s contract situation remains unsettled with his current deal running out next summer. While he has declined initial offers, his preference seems to be staying at Liverpool if contract terms can be improved. Adding to this, Liverpool are short on centre-back depth after selling Jarell Quansah and may pursue Crystal Palace captain Marc Guehi, depending on the financial demands.

At left-back, Milos Kerkez has been introduced as long-term cover succeeding Andy Robertson, which relegates Kostas Tsimikas to a minor role. Tsimikas’ future looks uncertain as he struggles to make a significant impact this season.

In summary, Liverpool’s strategy post-Díaz sale involves a mix of major investment and key sales as they aim to balance the squad, maintain competitiveness, and secure long-term stability.

Bayern Munich have completed the signing of Luis Díaz from Liverpool in a deal reported to be worth up to €75 million, with a contract extending to 2029. This transfer marks the end of Díaz’s three and a half years at Liverpool, a period he described as one he will “treasure forever.” The Colombian winger, who was an integral part of Liverpool’s recent title-winning squad, was given permission to fly to Munich to finalise the move after arriving in Tokyo with Liverpool’s squad.

Díaz thrived under the guidance of Arne Slot, who helped him showcase his versatility by occasionally deploying him centrally, a role that contributed to his impressive performance last season. Only Mohamed Salah outscored him in Liverpool’s championship campaign. Liverpool, securing a substantial fee for the 28-year-old with two years remaining on his contract, will miss his contributions on the pitch.

In his emotional Instagram farewell, Díaz expressed gratitude toward the club and its supporters, stating: “I have met incredible people, fabulous colleagues, coaches who helped me a lot, and extraordinary fans. Liverpool is, indeed, a special team, and I will keep everyone in my heart.” A solemn note was added with his remembrance of late teammate Diogo Jota: “It would have been the perfect goodbye if we hadn’t lost one of ours in such a tragic way. As I said, and I repeat, I carry everyone with me in my heart, but one of them in particular: Diogo. I will never forget him. We will never forget him.”

At Bayern, Díaz will face competition for the left-wing position from Kingsley Coman and Serge Gnabry, with Harry Kane’s presence reducing the necessity to play him centrally. Reflecting on his move, Díaz said, “I’m very happy, it means a lot to me to be part of FC Bayern—it’s one of the biggest clubs in the world. I want to help my new team with my style of football and my personality. My goal is to win every possible title—we will work towards this every day as a team.”

Bayern’s sporting director Max Eberl expressed confidence in the acquisition, describing Díaz as “an internationally experienced player with enormous quality, great skills, and great reliability.” This signing concludes a summer of pursuit for Bayern, finally securing a high-profile addition to their squad.