Liverpool vs AC Milan: Live score, team news and updates as Florian Wirtz makes his first start - while Luis Diaz and Darwin Nunez are EXCLUDED from squad

Alright, we've officially got our first images of Florian Wirtz warming up and we're less than 10 minutes out from seeing him in action for Liverpool for the first time.

Fingers crossed there are no leg breaks. Better have got a good insurance deal on this man!

Rio Ngumoha absolutely lit up Deepdale when he played against them earlier this month.

It's hard to believe this guy is only 16. When I was that age, my highest footballing achievement was getting battered 8-1 in the final of the local under-15s lower league cup final.

We've already seen how well the 15-year-olds have done for Arsenal against AC Milan, so reds fans can hope for more Ngumoha joy today.

He's one of those players who just likes to make things happen.

You'd think it was a picture on the Kop!

LEWIS STEELE:

Believe that the Joe Gomez absence is due to the fact the Englishman has flown home with a minor Achilles injury.

He's played 11 minutes since December and that is worrying. Alexis Mac Allister is back in full training after a bit of an eased start to pre-season and, all being well, will feature in the Japan leg of the tour.

Wataru Endo had a bit of an illness in recent days so misses out. As for Luis Diaz and Darwin Nunez, that might be one for Arne Slot after the game...

The death of Diogo Jota is still being acutely felt and mourned.

Though the world marches on, and Liverpool have to dust themselves down and show a brave face, it is right of them to make sure they properly remember Jota, so often a symbol of joy when he played.

Here are some of their plans to remember him, as announced by the club.

Alongside the highly impressive 16-year-old Rio Ngumoha, two other youngsters are getting their moment in the spotlight, writes LEWIS STEELE.

Our reporter Lewis Steele brings us this dispatch from Hong Kong:

In all its glory, here is Liverpool's starting 11 to take on the Italians.

A mixture of youth and experience from Arne Slot, but you might notice two extremely notable absences...