Liverpool lost 4-2 to AC Milan in Hong Kong on Saturday, as Arne Slot sent out two very different teams for the friendly.
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Slot’s side had plenty of possession and created lots of chances, but Milan were excellent on the counter and took the lead early on as Rafael Leao finished off Christian Pulisic’s assist. But Liverpool equalized via a fine strike from Dominik Szoboszlai to make it 1-1 at the break.
In the second half Milan pulled away with Ruben Loftus-Cheek scoring and a double from Noah Okafor off the bench caught out the Reds. Cody Gakpo was on the scoresheet for Liverpool in stoppage time as new signing Hugo Ekitike looked on from sidelines.
Outgoings expected for Liverpool? Diaz, Nunez left out...
But the big talking point from this game will be that neither Luis Diaz or Darwin Nunez featured for Liverpool, as they could be leaving the reigning Premier League champions this summer.
Arne Slot said afterwards that Diaz was left out due to speculation around his future, saying that Diaz has been training well but they’ve decided that for now he will not feature in games.
With Alexander Isak not heading on Newcastle’s preseason tour of Asia as speculation around his future continues, could Liverpool make a big push to sign Isak to go alongside Ekitike, Mohamed Salah and Florian Wirtz, then sell Diaz and Nunez to fund the vast majority of their summer spending?
If that all works out, Liverpool’s decision makers will have had one of the best transfer windows in history.
What’s next?
Liverpool now head to play Yokohama F.Marinos in Japan on Wednesday, where Ekitike could make his debut.
Clinical on the counter ⚡ pic.twitter.com/9SUja8oMDB
— AC Milan (@acmilan) July 26, 2025
Liverpool vs AC Milan score: 2-4
Szoboszlai 26’, Gakpo 90+3'; Leao 11’, Loftus-Cheek 52’, Okafor 59’, 90+4'
Liverpool vs AC Milan live updates! - By Joe Prince-Wright
Okafor again!
Milan wrap up the win as Okafor completes his impressive second half with a brace after an awful mistake at the back.
Gakpo pulls one back!
Deep in stoppage time Gakpo makes it 3-2 with a fine header at the back post. Can Liverpool salvage a draw?
💥🇳🇱 pic.twitter.com/5N7MjsBVk3
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) July 26, 2025
The sub Okafor extends Milan’s lead
He’s only been on the pitch since half time but Okafor has already scored as Milan are so dangerous on the counter and finish another one off. Lovely finish from Okafor!
Loftus-Cheek puts Milan ahead again!
Milan are back ahead as Loftus-Cheek scores on the counter. Great work from Leao to set it up.
Dominik Szoboszlai with a beauty!
What a strike from the Hungarian star. Liverpool are level!
A super strike from Szobo 💥 pic.twitter.com/Sg1f2jzOCl
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) July 26, 2025
Rafael Leao gives AC Milan the lead!
Lovely finish on the counter from Leao and Milan are ahead. USMNT star Christian Pulisic with the assist on the counter.
Liverpool lineup
Alisson; Stephenson, Morton, Van Dijk, Robertson; Gravenberch, Szoboszlai; Elliott, Wirtz, Ngumhoa; Salah
AC Milan lineup
Maignan; Tomori, Thiaw, Pavlovic; Saelemaekers, Fofana, Ricci, Loftus-Cheek, Bartesaghi; Leao, Pulisic
Liverpool team news, focus
OUT: Alexis Mac Allister (hernia)
AC Milan team news, focus
Milan have already faced one Premier League side this preseason, having been beaten 1-0 by Arsenal on Wednesday. Bukayo Saka scored the only goal of the game, which then went to a pre-agreed penalty shootout between the two sides. Massimiliano Allegri’s side got a bit of redemption from the penalty spot, besting the Gunners 6-5 after nine rounds. USMNT star Christian Pulisic started and played the first 45. The 26-year-old had a clean game passing (22-for-25) and was heavily involved in Milan’s attacking play (34 touches, including 3 in the opposition box, with 1 chance created). Pulisic scored 11 goals and had 9 assists in 34 league appearances last season, to go with 4 and 1 in the Champions League.
Liverpool vs AC Milan prediction
Two games in a row without Salah scoring at least once? Even if he only plays 45 minutes? Hard to imagine it. Liverpool 3-1 AC Milan.
How to watch Liverpool vs AC Milan live, stream link and start time
Kick off time: 7:30am ET Saturday (July 26)
Venue: Kai Tak Sports Park — Hong Kong
TV Channel, Streaming: Paramount+ in USA
Liverpool vs AC Milan preview
The Reds beat Championship side Preston North End 3-1 last weekend, as Conor Bradley, Darwin Nunez and Cody Gakpo all got on the scoresheet at Deepdale. Regular starters Mohamed Salah, Ryan Gravenberch, Dominik Szoboszlai started and played the first 45 minutes, making way to Gakpo, Nunez, Curtis Jones and Andrew Robertson, as well as summer signings Milos Kerkez and Jeremie Frimpong, after halftime. Record signing Florian Wirtz is expected to make his debut after signing for more than $150 million this summer, and striker Hugo Ekitike ($106 million) also joined his new squad for training this week.
Since then, Liverpool have jetted off to the Far East where they will face Milan on Saturday and Yokohama F.Marinos in Japan next Wednesday (6:30 am ET). Then, Arne Slot’s side will return to Anfield to play Athletic Bilbao on Aug. 4 (3 pm ET), before taking on Crystal Palace in the Community Shield on Aug. 10 at Wembley Stadium. The Eagles beat Liverpool 1-0 to win the FA Cup, the first major trophy in club history, back in May.
