Liverpool suffered a 4–2 defeat to AC Milan in their latest pre-season fixture, played in front of a packed crowd at the newly opened Kai Tak Sports Park in Hong Kong, Softfootball reports.
Arne Slot named a strong starting eleven, with Virgil van Dijk, Dominik Szoboszlai, and Alexis Mac Allister all featuring.
However, it was AC Milan who struck first. After just 10 minutes, Rafael Leão drifted inside from the left and curled past Alisson to open the scoring.
Liverpool responded with control and pressing intensity, and their reward came midway through the first half. Szoboszlai latched onto a rebound and slotted home in the 26th minute to level matters.
But Milan punished Liverpool’s high line after the break. Ruben Loftus-Cheek made it 2–1 with a driven shot from the edge of the box after a swift break. The Italians extended their lead soon after Noah Okafor finished calmly in the 59th minute following a Liverpool turnover.
Slot made wholesale changes in the second half, handing minutes to youngsters including Rio Ngumoha and Ben Doak. Florian Wirtz, on his unofficial debut, showed glimpses of creativity but struggled to break Milan’s deep block.
Despite Cody Gakpo pulling one back in stoppage time with a well-placed finish to make it 3–2, Milan hit back instantly. Okafor struck again in the final seconds, capitalising on stretched Liverpool lines and confusion in the box.
Liverpool dominated possession and registered more shots, but Milan’s tactical discipline and ability to spring forward on the counter proved decisive. Defensive issues were evident, with both full-backs caught high on several occasions, a theme Slot will be keen to address before the season begins.
Ngumoha’s performance was a bright spot, impressing with his close control and drive at defenders. Meanwhile, Wirtz showed flashes but lacked rhythm understandable given his short integration time.
The Reds will now look ahead to their final preseason fixture before the Community Shield. For Milan, it was a reminder of their European pedigree and a marker laid down with ruthlessness.
Unfortunately, Liverpool will continue their preseason tour without defender Joe Gomez, who was ruled out due to an Achilles problem. Softfootball had earlier reported that Gomez was sent back to England to receive intensive care ahead of the new season, as further information concerning him will be released soonest.
Meanwhile, the Merseyside paid tribute to Diogo Jota, who lost his life in a car-wrecking accident, alongside his brother. Sir Kenny Dalglish lays a floral tribute in loving memory of Diogo Jota and his brother before the start of the game.
Rafael Leao also paid tribute to his fellow Portuguese and friend, after opening the scoring, as applause also broke out around the stadium in memory of Diogo Jota in the 20th minute, in respect to his shirt number.
