On July 26, 2025, AC Milan and Liverpool played a highly anticipated preseason friendly at the Kai Tak Sports Park in Hong Kong. The Italian giants beat Premier League powerhouse Liverpool by a score of 4-2.
The match was part of the “Hong Kong Football Carnival 2025” and set a new record for the venue with 49,704 fans in attendance.
Milan Scores First, Liverpool Fights Back
From the very start, AC Milan made it clear that they were going to attack. Rafael Leão made a fast run from the back in the 10th minute, cutting through Liverpool’s defence and calmly putting the ball past the goalkeeper to give Milan the lead. The early goal got the whole Milan team fired up.
Liverpool, on the other hand, didn’t give up. In the 26th minute, Dominik Szoboszlai stepped up and tied the game with a well-placed low shot after a thoughtful exchange with teammates just outside the box. The goal temporarily stabilized the match for the Reds.
Milan Gets Hotter in the Second Half
Following the interval, AC Milan intensified their play. With a brilliant goal to put Milan back in the lead, Ruben Loftus-Cheek showed off his speed and technical skill. Not long after, Noah Okafor took advantage of a fantastic chance in the box and scored Milan’s third goal, making it 3-1.
Cody Gakpo scored late in the game to make it 4–2 for Liverpool, but a mistake by the defence gave the ball back to Okafor, who took full advantage and scored his second goal of the night, sealing the win for Milan.
New Signings Debut, Chemistry Still a Work in Progress
Liverpool’s new player, Florian Wirtz, made his debut, starting the game and coming on as a substitute at halftime. Although he displayed glimpses of his skill, Liverpool’s overall play lacked organization.
In contrast, AC Milan’s teamwork and ability to attack together stood out, demonstrating how well they worked together as a cohesive unit.
The win gives AC Milan a great deal of confidence heading into the next season. Liverpool can learn a tremendous deal from this loss as they work to improve their game through additional training and upcoming matches.
After this game, AC Milan will travel to Australia to play Perth Glory, while Liverpool will continue their Asia tour in Japan.
Pre-season friendlies aren’t real games, but they are essential for trying out new strategies and preparing players for the upcoming games. Fans all over the world are looking forward to seeing both teams play even better in future matches.
