Florian Wirtz of Liverpool and Malick Thiaw of AC Milan look on during the Pre-Season Friendly between Liverpool FC and AC Milan at Kai Tak Sports Park on July 26, 2025(Image: Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)

Liverpool slipped to a 4-2 defeat to AC Milan in the first friendly of their two-game tour of Asia on Saturday. The Reds fell behind to a Rafa Leao goal before Dominik Szoboszlai clipped home a sublime leveller to send the teams in even at the break at the Kai Tak Stadium.

However, a couple of razor-sharp counters from the Rossoneri saw Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Noah Okafor give the Italians a two-goal cushion before Cody Gakpo headed in a second for the Premier League champions.

A mix-up between Kostas Tsimikas, filling in at centre-back, and new goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili, however, led to Milan sealing it with a late fourth.

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The Reds now fly to Japan where they will play Yokohama F Marinos at the Nissan Stadium on Wednesday. The ECHO was in Hong Kong to run the rule over proceedings. Here’s what we made of it all.

ALISSON BECKER – 7

Made a really good save late in the first half to deny Pulisic and was his usual excellent self. Alert goalkeeping allowed him to clear when rushing way out of his box earlier in the half and kept it at 1-1 late on.

LUCA STEPHENSON – 6

Got caught out by Pulisic’s ball in behind for the opening goal and Van Dijk was unable to fully cover. Always willing to get forward but unable to influence too much attacking-wise.

VIRGIL VAN DIJK – 6

Attempted to get across for Leao’s goal but was unable to cover before the shot. Caught a boot in the face for his troubles late on. Diagonal passes had the crowd in awe at times.

RYAN GRAVENBERCH – 7

Started at centre-back in lieu of Joe Gomez but could do nothing about Leao’s opener. Always tried to build attacks and find more advanced team-mates. One pass to Ngumoha was spectacular. Played the second half in midfield and rattled the bar from about 30 yards. Was replaced for Tyler Morton after an hour.

ANDY ROBERTSON – 6

Didn’t have a whole lot to do defensively but always made sure he was an option for Ngumoha in possession further forward. Was denied a penalty when he turned inside the box and was furious with the decision. Decent strike on goal was saved.

TYLER MORTON – 6

Always comfortable to take possession in tight areas and you can see why Liverpool have been in no rush to move him on. He will be a fine addition for whoever eventually signs him. Replaced after 30 minutes for Nyoni as planned and re-emerged in the second period.

DOMINIK SZOBOSZLAI – 8

Levelled the game with a sublime clip past Maignan that had the fans drooling when the replays were shown on the big screen. Crucial tracking denied Milan a potential second. One of the standout performers of the half.

MOHAMED SALAH – 6

Was always a willing runner but not quite in full Mo Salah mode just yet. Should have shot but tried to play in Wirtz and had a couple of crosses that came to little before flashing a shot wide after a goalkeeper parry.

HARVEY ELLIOTT – 5

Over-hit a through ball to stop a dangerous attack in its track and was a yard off it when Wirtz played him in earlier. Understandably needs more minutes to sharpen up after his recent return to training.

RIO NGUMOHA – 8

Always content to run at the Milan backline and it’s so easy to see why there is plenty of excitement around the teenage winger. Hopefully we see plenty more of the former Chelsea youngster this pre-season.

FLORIAN WIRTZ – 8

Played as a false 9. One dip of the shoulder near the centre circle totally opened up the game but Elliott was too slow to profit from the threaded pass. Such a silky smooth operator in possession and should have had an assist for Salah.

Subs

GIORGI MAMARDASHVILI – 4

Could do nothing about the first two goals and didn’t have much else to do due to Milan’s willingness to play on the counter-attack. Had a horror moment with the fourth.

CONOR BRADLEY – 5

Couldn’t catch an in-form Leao after the winger was played in behind to set up the second. Appeared to play a more reserved, defensive role with Frimpong ahead of him.

IBRAHIMA KONATE – 6

Important minutes for one of only two senior centre-backs now on this tour. Will need to be wrapped in cotton wool.

KOSTAS TSIMIKAS – 4

Acting as a makeshift centre-back. Not his position and was simply plugging a gap but back-pass to Mamardashvili was poor for Milan’s fourth.

MILOS KERKEZ – 6

Always eager to get forward and cause problems but counter-attacks for two of three second-half goals, particularly the third down his side, will disappoint the new man.

CURTIS JONES – 6

Dictated a lot of the play in the second half but found a Milan side content to sit in their droves and counter after gaining the lead.

JEREMIE FRIMPONG – 7

Electric pace is going to cause teams real problems and went close with a strike at the near post after taking down Gakpo’s pass superbly. Looks like an exciting addition.

TREY NYONI – 6

Played as the most advanced of the midfield three but was unable to create much in the final third as Milan closed ranks.

CODY GAKPO – 6

Floated in some dangerous in-swinging crosses but missed a really good chance to make it 3-2 late on before making amends with a smart header.

BEN DOAK – 5

Found it difficult against the more experienced Milan defenders as a makeshift centre-forward. Space was often at a premium inside the area. Another was filling a gap in the squad with so many sidelined.