AC Milan secured a dominant 4-2 win over Liverpool in a high-profile pre-season friendly held at the Kai Tak Stadium in Hong Kong, with standout performances from Rafael Leão, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, and Noah Okafor. The match also saw Florian Wirtz make his full debut for the Reds, while Luis Diaz was left out due to ongoing transfer speculation.
Luis Diaz Dropped Amid Bayern Transfer Links
Liverpool manager Arne Slot confirmed that Colombian winger Luis Diaz was not included in the matchday squad due to growing rumors of a potential move. Bayern Munich reportedly had a £58 million bid rejected earlier this month, and with Diaz’s contract running until 2027, speculation remains intense.
“He’s training really well, but we’ve decided not to play him for now,” said Slot, acknowledging the uncertainty surrounding Diaz’s future.
Emotional Tribute to Diogo Jota
Before kickoff, Liverpool paid tribute to former player Diogo Jota, who tragically passed away in a car accident alongside his brother Andre Silva. A wreath was laid by club legend Sir Kenny Dalglish, while fans displayed a mosaic reading “DJ 20”. Players also wore commemorative shirts honoring Jota.
Match Summary: Milan Punish Liverpool on the Counter
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10’ – Rafael Leão opened the scoring for Milan with a powerful left-footed strike following a quick counter-attack.
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26’ – Dominik Szoboszlai equalised for Liverpool with a stunning curler into the top corner.
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52’ – Ruben Loftus-Cheek capitalised on another breakaway to restore Milan’s lead.
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64’ – Noah Okafor made it 3-1 with a clinical finish after great link-up play.
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90+2’ – Cody Gakpo pulled one back with a close-range header from an Ibrahima Konate assist.
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90+3’ – Another Liverpool defensive error saw Okafor score again, taking advantage of a mix-up between goalkeeper Mamardashvili and Kostas Tsimikas.
Florian Wirtz Impresses in False Nine Role
Liverpool’s record signing Florian Wirtz, acquired for £116 million from Bayer Leverkusen, made his debut start in an unfamiliar false nine position. Despite being substituted at halftime, Wirtz displayed excellent footwork, vision, and control in tight spaces.
The German star was flanked by Mohamed Salah and 16-year-old Rio Ngumoha, highlighting Liverpool’s attacking experimentation in the absence of Darwin Nunez (injury) and Diaz (transfer rumors).
New Signings Get Minutes: Frimpong and Kerkez Debut
The second half featured the debuts of full-backs Jeremie Frimpong and Milos Kerkez, while Georgian goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili also made his first appearance.
Despite the fresh talent, defensive vulnerabilities were evident. With Joe Gomez returning to England for Achilles treatment and Jarell Quansah sold to Leverkusen, Liverpool were forced to deploy Ryan Gravenberch and Kostas Tsimikas in makeshift centre-back roles.
Slot Addresses Defensive Issues
Manager Arne Slot downplayed concerns over his defensive depth, stating:
“Ryan [Gravenberch] can play centre-back and Wataru Endo is another option. While we haven’t replaced Quansah yet, we still have players who can fill in.”
However, growing interest in Crystal Palace’s Marc Guehi could intensify following Gomez’s injury setback.
What’s Next for Liverpool?
Liverpool now head to Japan where they’ll face Yokohama F. Marinos on Wednesday in their next pre-season encounter. Fans are hoping for clarity around Diaz’s future and a stronger defensive showing as the new season draws near.