Liverpool’s Pre-Season Tour Begins with Defeat as Rafael Leao Runs Riot for AC Milan in Hong Kong

Leao the Star as Reds Fall 4-2 in Entertaining Friendly at Kai Tak Stadium

Liverpool’s pre-season tour began with a sharp reminder of the work that lies ahead as Rafael Leao turned on the style to guide AC Milan to a 4-2 win in a high-energy friendly at Kai Tak Stadium in Hong Kong.

In a match that served up slick football, moments of brilliance, and a few defensive wobbles, it was Leao—Milan’s Portuguese superstar—who lit up the night, scoring once and assisting another, with a show of pace, power, and confidence that left Liverpool chasing shadows at times.

While pre-season results rarely carry real consequence, there was no escaping the fact that Arne Slot’s side were outgunned at both ends. Yet amid the disappointment, there were plenty of storylines, individual flashes of promise, and perhaps even a glimpse of what the Reds’ new era might look like.

Leao Takes Centre Stage in Hong Kong

There was only one name on the fans’ lips by full-time: Rafael Leao. The Milan winger didn’t just torment Liverpool’s defence—he dominated the game.

He opened the scoring in the 11th minute, finishing with authority into the top corner despite being forced wide by Virgil van Dijk. The goal was a product of Milan’s sharp counter-attacking style, initiated by Christian Pulisic, and it set the tone for a night where the Rossoneri looked comfortable without the ball and lethal with it.

Leao celebrated with restraint—a quiet nod to the recently departed Diogo Jota, a former Portugal teammate. It was a touching moment in an otherwise intense contest.

The 26-year-old then turned provider after the break, finding Ruben Loftus-Cheek for Milan’s second, before playing a clever backheel in midfield that initiated the move for their third. When he was subbed off after the hour mark, Milan’s attacking threat noticeably dropped—a testament to just how much he had influenced proceedings.

Szoboszlai and Gakpo On Target, But Reds Exposed

Dominik Szoboszlai and Cody Gakpo were the scorers for Liverpool, both netting stylish goals that showed the attacking tools remain sharp. But it was the other end of the pitch that let them down, with defensive errors and slow recovery on transitions costing the team dearly.

Szoboszlai’s goal was the pick of the bunch. After 16-year-old Rio Ngumoha cut inside from the left and played an intelligent pass into the Hungarian’s path, Szoboszlai clipped the ball beautifully over Milan keeper Mike Maignan, sending it into the top corner with a flourish that reminded everyone of his technical class.

Ngumoha’s contribution didn’t go unnoticed either. Still only 16, the academy talent was bold and expressive, beating defenders with clever footwork and nearly scoring himself with a low left-footed strike that forced Maignan into a good save.

After trailing 3-1 for much of the second half, Liverpool managed to reduce the deficit through Gakpo, who rose well to head home in stoppage time. It gave the Reds a glimmer of hope, but a late defensive lapse allowed Noah Okafor to smash in Milan’s fourth and seal the result.

New Faces: Wirtz, Frimpong, and Kerkez Show Early Promise

Rio Ngumoha Liverpool 2025-26

One of the most eagerly awaited debuts on tour was that of Florian Wirtz, Liverpool’s marquee summer signing from Bayer Leverkusen. Though playing in an unusual false nine role, Wirtz looked tidy and inventive in the first half.

His best moment came when he glided through midfield and slipped a perfect through ball into Harvey Elliott—a move that deserved a goal. He also linked up well with Mohamed Salah, playing a reverse ball into the Egyptian’s path that almost unlocked Milan’s defence. Though Wirtz didn’t score or assist, his intelligence on the ball and positional awareness stood out.

Jeremie Frimpong also impressed after coming on at half-time. The Dutchman was deployed further upfield on the right and nearly scored after controlling a long ball with an elegant touch and firing a fierce strike that Maignan did well to parry.

Milos Kerkez, meanwhile, slotted in on the left and worked hard to get forward, though he had less impact than his compatriots.

Tribute to Diogo Jota Continues

As in their earlier friendly at Preston, Liverpool continued to honour Diogo Jota, whose sudden passing this month has left the club and fans heartbroken. The team wore special shirts with the number “20” and “Diogo J” printed on the chest—a small but poignant tribute that won’t go unnoticed by supporters.

There was also a minute of silence before kick-off and applause from the Hong Kong crowd in the 20th minute—fitting moments that reflected the global reach of the Liverpool family and its affection for Jota.

Youngsters Making Their Mark

Slot made it clear in pre-season that youth would get a chance—and several young talents grabbed their opportunity. In addition to Ngumoha, there were appearances from Luca Stephenson, Trey Nyoni, Tyler Morton, and Ben Doak.

Doak in particular looked sharp after coming on, driving at defenders with real intent, while Morton played with maturity in midfield. Stephenson anchored well in a deep-lying role, showing he’s ready to knock on the first-team door if needed.

For a squad in transition, these glimpses of the next generation will give fans something to cling to, even as results like this underline the need for further development.

What Comes Next for Liverpool?

The Reds will next face Yokohama F. Marinos in Japan on July 30, offering another test before they return to Anfield for their first home pre-season fixture against Athletic Club in early August.

That will be followed by a Community Shield showdown with Crystal Palace, before Slot leads Liverpool into their Premier League opener against Bournemouth on August 15.

With the season fast approaching, Slot will be eager to tighten up the team’s shape, particularly in transition. While it’s clear that the attacking talent is there—especially with players like Wirtz and Szoboszlai clicking quickly—it’s the defensive discipline that will need the most urgent attention.

Liverpool FC v AC Milan Pre-Season Friendly

Performance Level: ⭐⭐⭐ out of 5

It wasn’t all bad. There were good spells, promising debuts, and a sense of identity slowly taking shape. But at this level, defensive lapses and passive pressing will always be punished—and against a team with Rafael Leao in full flight, the margin for error is razor-thin.

As far as pre-season openers go, this was a high-quality, entertaining affair. But for Arne Slot’s Liverpool, it also offered a timely wake-up call.