AC Milan stunned Liverpool with a 4–2 win in a fiery preseason clash at the newly built Kai Tak Stadium in Hong Kong.
Rafael Leão wasted no time lighting up the match. The Portuguese forward dribbled through Liverpool’s defense in the 7th minute to open the scoring with a solo goal that left the crowd in awe.
His impact didn’t stop there. Just moments later, he provided the assist for Ruben Loftus-Cheek to double Milan’s lead, exposing early cracks in Liverpool’s backline.
The Reds managed to pull one back before the break, as Dominik Szoboszlai curled in a well-placed shot to keep Liverpool in the game. That goal sparked hope for a second-half fightback, but it wasn’t to be.
Wirtz Struggles, Mistakes Prove Costly
Florian Wirtz, making his Liverpool debut, showed flashes of potential but ultimately struggled to influence the game.
The 21-year-old found it difficult to match Milan’s pace and intensity, often left isolated in midfield. His quiet performance raised eyebrows, as expectations around the German international remain high.
Liverpool made several changes in the second half, looking to draw level, but Milan stayed sharp. A defensive lapse allowed Noah Okafor to make it 3–1 for the Italians.
The match got worse when Kostas Tsimikas gifted Milan a fourth goal in stoppage time with a poor back pass that was easily converted. Ben Doak managed a late consolation, but it did little to ease the frustration.
Key names like Luis Díaz and Darwin Núñez were left out of the squad, further fueling transfer rumors. Joe Gomez was also missing due to a minor injury, leaving Liverpool’s defense looking thin.
