AC Milan secured a commanding 4-2 win over Premier League giants Liverpool on Saturday in a pre-season friendly match held under the closed roof of Hong Kong’s Kai Tak Stadium.
Former Chelsea star Ruben Loftus-Cheek was among the scorers, delivering a crucial second-half goal that contributed to the Italian side’s dominant display.
Despite fielding a strong side, including record signing Florian Wirtz in his debut start, Liverpool’s dominance in possession failed to translate into defensive solidity. AC Milan capitalized on every opportunity, punishing Liverpool’s shaky backline throughout the game.
Rafael Leao opened the scoring for Milan in the 10th minute, setting the tone for the match. Liverpool responded through a thunderous strike from Dominik Szoboszlai in the 26th minute, bringing the score to 1-1 by halftime.
However, Milan’s resilience prevailed as Loftus-Cheek netted just six minutes after the break, followed by a brace from substitute Noah Okafor. Cody Gakpo’s late header offered brief hope for the Reds but wasn’t enough to alter the outcome.
Amid the competitive action, the match was marked by an emotional tribute to Portuguese forward Diogo Jota, who tragically died in a car accident earlier this month. Liverpool fans, who far outnumbered Milan supporters in the packed 49,704 crowd, held up a mosaic that spelled out “DJ20,” honoring Jota’s No. 20 jersey—now retired by the club. Club legend Kenny Dalglish laid flowers before fans, while Rafael Leao also paid homage by offering a silent prayer and forming the number 20 with his fingers after scoring.
On the pitch, Wirtz looked poised and controlled during his 45-minute spell, offering glimpses of why Liverpool splashed a reported British record $150 million to bring him from Bayer Leverkusen. Newly acquired full-backs Milos Kerkez and Jeremie Frimpong also made their first appearances, coming on at halftime. However, striker Hugo Ekitike, signed from Eintracht Frankfurt for around $92 million, was unavailable, having just arrived two days earlier.
Notably, Liverpool played without a natural striker, as Darwin Nunez and Luis Diaz—both reportedly considering moves away from Anfield—were excluded from the matchday squad. Meanwhile, defender Joe Gomez flew back to England after sustaining a minor Achilles injury.
Liverpool now heads to Japan, where they will face Yokohama F-Marinos on Wednesday as part of their ongoing pre-season tour.
What You Should Know
Liverpool’s 4-2 defeat to AC Milan in Hong Kong was more than just a pre-season fixture—it was a blend of emotional remembrance and sporting transition. The game served as a heartfelt tribute to Diogo Jota, with gestures from both fans and players demonstrating football’s communal spirit in moments of loss.
Despite the loss, the match highlighted key elements of Liverpool’s evolving squad, including the debut of $150 million playmaker Florian Wirtz and the absence of senior strikers amid transfer rumors.
Ruben Loftus-Cheek’s performance also stood out, underlining Milan’s growing strength ahead of the new season.
