AC Milan opened their Asia-Pacific tour with a commanding 4‑2 win over Liverpool at Kai Tak Stadium in Hong Kong, drawing praise for their sharp counter‑attacking play and tactical composure.
Goals and Key Moments
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Rafael Leão put Milan ahead in the 10th minute, finishing off a fast-paced transition, and paid tribute with a finger gesture to Diogo Jota, his late Portugal teammate.
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Dominik Szoboszlai levelled the score for Liverpool with a powerful strike around the half-hour mark.
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Early in the second half, Milan regained control with goals from Ruben Loftus‑Cheek (52’) and Noah Okafor (59’), exploiting Liverpool’s vulnerabilities in defensive transitions.
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Cody Gakpo scored in stoppage time, narrowing the deficit briefly, but a defensive mix‑up allowed Okafor to strike again immediately, sealing the match as the final kick from Milan.
Three of Milan’s goals came on the break, underlining the effectiveness of their counter‑attack strategy in Allegri’s system.
Emotional Tribute
Prior to kick‑off, the match paused for a poignant tribute to Diogo Jota and his brother André Silva, who died in a car accident. Liverpool fans created a “DJ 20” mosaic, club legend Kenny Dalglish laid a wreath, and players from both teams wore black armbands and patches to honor their memory. A “Forever 20” emblem will be worn throughout the upcoming Premier League season, with proceeds from commemorative shirts benefiting the LFC Foundation.
Leão’s goal celebration reflected the emotional significance of the occasion.
Team News & Context
This was Liverpool’s first formal match of their pre‑season Asia tour, following behind‑closed‑doors games against Stoke and Preston. Manager Arne Slot fielded an experimental squad, rotating heavily through the two halves, with debuts for summer signings like Florian Wirtz, Hugo Ekitike, and Jeremie Frimpong. Missing key players Luis Díaz and Darwin Núñez added to Liverpool’s experimental lineup.
Milan, under Massimiliano Allegri, built on momentum from a recent narrow defeat to Arsenal and appeared more cohesive and dangerous, especially in transition. The match was part of a broader summer tour including Singapore, Perth, Dublin, and London, aimed at tactical preparation and global brand exposure. Notably, stars like Luka Modrić and Santi Giménez missed the squad for rotation and rest reasons.
Atmosphere & Significance
The match drew a record crowd of 49,704, marking the highest attendance for a football match at the new Kai Tak Sports Park since its official opening earlier in June 2025. The event is part of the Hong Kong Football Festival 2025, designed to boost tourism and showcase international clubs, organized by TEG Sport and sanctioned by Hong Kong authorities.
Post‑match Reactions
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Allegri praised Milan’s proactiveness and structure since his return in May.
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Slot acknowledged Liverpool’s experimental setup and noted player absences; nonetheless he credited the atmosphere and praised new signings’ integration into the squad.
Looking Ahead
AC Milan now head to Perth, Australia, to conclude their Asia-Pacific tour against Perth Glory on 31 July. Liverpool continue to Japan next, facing Yokohama F. Marinos, before returning to England to begin their Premier League title defence against Bournemouth on 15 August.
Milan’s commanding display in Hong Kong sends a strong message ahead of the 2025‑26 season: composed in possession, deadly on the counter, and emotionally united. Liverpool, meanwhile, will view the loss as a learning experience in squad depth and transitional play—a reminder that pre‑season is about fine‑tuning as much as results.
