Liverpool suffered their first pre-season defeat on Saturday. In Hong Kong, Arne Slot's team had no answer to AC Milan's counter-attacks.
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Liverpool suffered their first pre-season defeat on Saturday, falling 4–2 to AC Milan in an entertaining and, at times, chaotic friendly in Hong Kong.
The result brought an end to Arne Slot’s perfect start in charge of the Reds and exposed several vulnerabilities in the squad’s current shape particularly when facing teams capable of striking quickly in transition. For Liverpool, it was a reality check amidst a summer filled with optimism, tactical experimentation, and heavy squad rotation.
The game was played in front of a vibrant crowd at the Hong Kong Stadium, where Liverpool enjoyed passionate support throughout. Yet, that support wasn’t enough to shield them from a ruthless AC Milan side that executed their game plan to perfection. Slot’s men struggled to cope with the Italian club’s tactical discipline and quick transitions, a weakness that became apparent early in the first half.
The starting lineup featured several talking points. Virgil van Dijk captained the team and was partnered in central defence by Ryan Gravenberch a surprise decision by Slot, who opted to test the midfielder in an unfamiliar position. This tactical shift might have been designed to explore Gravenberch’s ability to play out from the back, but the experiment didn’t yield the desired stability. Cody Gakpo and Jeremie Frimpong began the match on the bench, while forwards Luis Díaz and Darwin Núñez were left out entirely a decision that fueled ongoing speculation that both players are on the verge of leaving the club. New signing Hugo Ekitiké was also absent, as he continues to build match fitness.
Liverpool started brightly but were quickly undone by Milan’s directness. In the 10th minute, Rafael Leão broke the deadlock after outpacing Van Dijk on a sharp counter-attack. The Portuguese winger finished calmly and dedicated his goal with a touching gesture to the late Diogo Jota, prompting a heartfelt tribute from the crowd. Ten minutes later, the stadium paused in applause for Jota, whose unexpected passing cast a shadow over Liverpool’s pre-season tour.
Dominik Szoboszlai restored parity with a brilliant goal later in the half. The Hungarian midfielder, who has been one of Liverpool’s standout performers this summer, collected the ball just outside the box and rifled a curling effort into the top corner a strike that left Milan goalkeeper Mike Maignan with no chance. The goal lifted Liverpool’s energy, and for the remainder of the first half, they enjoyed more possession and territory, though they struggled to create clear-cut chances.
In the second half, AC Milan returned to their counter-attacking plan and Liverpool paid the price for pushing too high. Ruben Loftus-Cheek was the first to capitalise, scoring after a swift move sliced through Liverpool’s midfield and exposed their back line. Shortly after, Noah Okafor made it 3–1, finishing another breakaway after a lapse in defensive organisation. By this point, both Gakpo and Frimpong had entered the match, but their impact was limited as Milan sat deep and absorbed pressure.
Gravenberch almost offered Liverpool a lifeline with a thunderous shot that beat Maignan but crashed off the crossbar. It was the closest the Reds came to turning the tide before the final minutes. While the midfield experiment with Gravenberch in defence showed moments of promise in possession, defensively it proved risky, as Milan exploited the space left behind during transitions.
Cody Gakpo did manage to pull one back in stoppage time with a well-placed header, offering a small consolation for Liverpool and momentarily giving hope of a late comeback. But just as the Reds pushed forward in search of an equaliser, disaster struck. A miscommunication between goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili and left-back Kostas Tsimikas led to a loose ball in the box, which Okafor pounced on to score his second and Milan’s fourth of the match. The goal sealed the final score at 4–2, sending Milan’s fans into celebration and delivering a humbling defeat to Arne Slot’s side.
For Liverpool, the loss ends their flawless pre-season record, following previous wins against Preston North End (1–3) and Stoke City (5–0). While friendly matches are primarily about fitness and tactical preparation, this result will likely give Slot and his staff plenty to review especially with regards to defensive positioning, transitions, and adapting to opponents who look to exploit Liverpool’s high line.
Despite the setback, the match also offered glimpses of potential. Szoboszlai’s goal highlighted his growing influence in midfield, and Gakpo once again showed his knack for finding space in the box. However, the absence of Díaz, Núñez, and Ekitiké three players who could play crucial roles in the coming months left Liverpool without their full attacking arsenal.
Looking ahead, the result may serve as a timely reminder that Liverpool are still very much in transition under their new manager. Slot is implementing new ideas, testing new roles, and dealing with a squad that may yet see more changes before the start of the Premier League season. With upcoming friendlies still on the calendar, the focus will now turn to tightening defensive cohesion and finalising the squad for what promises to be a demanding campaign.
Updated: 02:38, 26 Jul 2025
