Rafael Leao made the difference for AC Milan as the Serie A giants overcame Liverpool 4-2 in a closely-fought pre-season encounter in Hong Kong.
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Liverpool tasted defeat in the first game of their pre-season tour courtesy of a strong counter-attacking display from Milan at Kai Tak Stadium in Hong Kong. Dominik Szoboszlai and Cody Gakpo scored for the Reds, who showed glimpses but ultimately came out second-best on the day as Leao shone with a well-taken goal and assist.
The Reds continued their tributes to the late Diogo Jota, which were prevalent in their emotional opening fixture at Preston North End. On Saturday, they wore special shirts containing a patch saying 'Diogo J 20'.
It was Milan who started the brighter of the two sides, as Leao opened the scoring in the 11th minute after an earlier warning shot. The Portuguese winger was freed by Christian Pulisic on the break down the left, and despite being forced out wide by Virgil van Dijk, the 26-year-old rifled the ball into the top corner. He paid tribute to former Portugal team-mate Jota with a muted celebration.
Mohamed Salah had a great opportunity to equalise after he was played through by new man Florian Wirtz, but the Egyptian was unselfish and played a ball back towards the German which was cleared away before it could reach him. However, Liverpool would be level before the half-hour mark courtesy of the right boot of Szoboszlai. Assisted by ever-impressive 16-year-old Rio Ngumoha, Szoboszlai nonchalantly clipped the ball over the lead of Mike Maignan and into the top corner of the net from the edge of the penalty area.
Liverpool dominated first-half possession but Milan could have gone in ahead at half-time had Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Leao not combined to waste a golden opportunity on the counter-attack.
The pair would combine again to have their say early in the second period though, Leao this time breaking on the break and finding Loftus-Cheek, who showed poise to calmly finish into the bottom corner. Soon the Italian side would score a third, Noah Okafor this time powering into the net after another rapid counter-attack.
Liverpool pushed to get back into the game and substitute Jeremie Frimpong would prove a threat playing higher up on the right wing, forcing a good save before Gakpo headed home expertly to halve the deficit in stoppage time. However, any chance of a last-gasp equaliser was quashed when a defensive lapse allowed Okafor to score his second with the last kick of the game. This would ultimately prove Milan's day.
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The game's outstanding player was Milan's Leao. The Portuguese international has been touted as one of the world's most exciting forwards for several years now and he showed exactly why. An outstanding individual goal opened the scoring early on, before he broke forward on the counter to assist Loftus-Cheek for his side's second. He even had a role to play in the third goal with a backheel in the centre circle to set off a counter attack. Milan's threat waned after their danger man was withdrawn just after the hour mark.
NEW FACES
Wirtz made his second appearance following last week's behind-closed-doors friendly with Stoke City and showed several glimpses of his undoubted quality in 45 minutes on the pitch in his new colours. A moment where he broke through the centre of midfield and played through Harvey Elliott stood out, as did a clever through-ball to Salah which could have led to a goal. Liverpool clearly have a very accomplished new signing on their hands, though he was playing in the slightly unfamiliar position of false nine on this occasion.
Milos Kerkez and Jeremie Frimpong were introduced at half-time as they continue to build connections with their new team-mates. Frimpong stood out and almost got on the scoresheet after a brilliant take out of the sky got him in behind the defence, only for the Dutchman's fierce strike to be thwarted.
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Ngumoha is just 16 years old but has already stood out throughout pre-season, and he did so once again against Milan. Following up a goal against Stoke, he registered an assist for Szoboszlai's goal and looked comfortable among his esteemed team-mates out on the left wing in the first half. He also forced Maignan into a smart save after a rapid stepover earned him some space on his weaker left foot.
We also saw appearances by rising Liverpool stars such as Luca Stephenson, Trey Nyoni, Tyler Morton and Ben Doak, who all aimed to show glimpses of their quality in hope of finding a more regular role to play in Slot's squad next season.