Milan_Beats_Liverpool_4_2_in_Hong_Kong_Friendly

Milan Beats Liverpool 4-2 in Hong Kong Friendly

In an electrifying pre-season clash in China's Hong Kong SAR, AC Milan outplayed Liverpool 4-2 in a match full of flair, emotion, and non-stop action! ⚽️ The encounter also marked Liverpool’s record signing Florian Wirtz making his first start in the loss.

Before kick-off, former Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish paid a moving tribute by laying a wreath. Both teams also honored the memory of late Diogo Jota – with players donning shirts emblazoned with "Diogo J 20" to commemorate their late teammate.

The game got underway with quick intensity. In the 10th minute, Rafael Leao put AC Milan ahead with a precise finish from a Christian Pulisic pass. Just 10 minutes later, Dominik Szoboszlai curled a sublime shot from the edge of the box, following a clever move involving Rio Ngumoha and Ryan Gravenberch, and levelled the match.

Matters heated up in the second half. Leao spearheaded a swift counter-attack on the left wing, finding Ruben Loftus-Cheek, who fired home to reclaim the lead for Milan. Liverpool’s efforts to respond were evident as Mohamed Salah missed a golden opportunity from a Florian Wirtz pass, leaving them increasingly vulnerable.

AC Milan then struck again when Noah Okafor scored his first goal in the 60th minute. As the match neared its close, Liverpool managed a stoppage-time header from Cody Gakpo. However, a defensive mix-up – a miscommunication between Kostas Tsimikas and Liverpool’s new goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili, who had replaced Alisson Becker – allowed Okafor to slip in his second goal, sealing the win for Milan.

AC Milan coach Massimiliano Allegri summed up the mood by saying, "The most beautiful and important thing in these first 20 days of work is the team's proactive attitude and improved endurance. As for Leao, he's growing and has the mature mindset for a great season." Meanwhile, Liverpool manager Arne Slot admitted, "Conceding four isn't what we want, but you have to consider the circumstances. With several senior players missing and 20 players getting game time, our formation was a bit too open in the counterattack."

In addition to the standout performances, new defender Pervis Estupinan – fresh from his move from Brighton & Hove Albion – made his unofficial debut for AC Milan. As the friendly drew to a close, fans witnessed a roller coaster of emotions, setting the stage for more challenges ahead. Liverpool now prepare to head to Japan for the J League World Challenge against Yokohama F. Marinos before their Premier League title defense begins on August 15.

This memorable match blended competitive spirit with heartfelt tributes, captivating fans from around the world. 🔥

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