Rafael Leao (front R) of AC Milan competes during the match between Liverpool and AC Milan of the Hong Kong Football Festival in Hong Kong, south China, July 26, 2025. (Xinhua/Zhu Wei)
HONG KONG, July 26 (Xinhua) -- Rafael Leao scored one goal and set up another to lead AC Milan to a 4-2 win over Liverpool in a preseason friendly Saturday at Hong Kong's Kai Tak Stadium.
Liverpool's starting line-up featured new signing Florian Wirtz alongside Mohamed Salah, Dominik Szoboszlai and Virgil van Dijk, while Leao and Christian Pulisic led Milan's front line.
Leao opened the scoring in the 10th minute with a surging run and finish past Van Dijk and goalkeeper Alisson following a swift Milan counterattack. The Portuguese forward later set up Ruben Loftus-Cheek to restore Milan's lead in the 52nd minute, after Liverpool had equalized through Szoboszlai's delicate lob over Milan keeper Mike Maignan midway through the first half.
Both sides made wholesale changes after halftime. Alexis Saelemaekers provided an assist for substitute Noah Okafor to make it 3-1 in the 60th minute. Cody Gakpo pulled one back for Liverpool in stoppage time before Okafor capitalized on a defensive error one minute later to seal Milan's win.
Milan will next travel to Australia to face Perth Glory, while Liverpool continues its Asia tour with a match against Japan's Yokohama F. Marinos.
Kai Tak Stadium will stage another high-profile friendly on Thursday, with Tottenham Hotspur taking on Premier League rival Arsenal. ■
Members of AC Milan celebrate winning the match between Liverpool and AC Milan of the Hong Kong Football Festival in Hong Kong, south China, July 26, 2025. (Xinhua/Zhu Wei)
Members of AC Milan celebrate during the match between Liverpool and AC Milan of the Hong Kong Football Festival in Hong Kong, south China, July 26, 2025. (Xinhua/Zhu Wei)
Davide Bartesaghi (L) of AC Milan heads the ball during the match between Liverpool and AC Milan of the Hong Kong Football Festival in Hong Kong, south China, July 26, 2025. (Xinhua/Zhu Wei)
Noah Okafor (R) of AC Milan vies with Ibrahima Konate of Liverpool during the match between Liverpool and AC Milan of the Hong Kong Football Festival in Hong Kong, south China, July 26, 2025. (Photo by Lo Ping Fai/Xinhua)
Christian Pulisic (C) of AC Milan reacts during the match between Liverpool and AC Milan of the Hong Kong Football Festival in Hong Kong, south China, July 26, 2025. (Xinhua/Zhu Wei)
Rafael Leao of AC Milan reacts during the match between Liverpool and AC Milan of the Hong Kong Football Festival in Hong Kong, south China, July 26, 2025. (Xinhua/Zhu Wei)
Curtis Jones (R) of Liverpool shoots during the match between Liverpool and AC Milan of the Hong Kong Football Festival in Hong Kong, south China, July 26, 2025. (Xinhua/Zhu Wei)
Christian Pulisic (C) of AC Milan vies with Ryan Gravenberch (L) of Liverpool during the match between Liverpool and AC Milan of the Hong Kong Football Festival in Hong Kong, south China, July 26, 2025. (Xinhua/Zhu Wei)
Christian Pulisic (front R) of AC Milan shoots during the match between Liverpool and AC Milan of the Hong Kong Football Festival in Hong Kong, south China, July 26, 2025. (Xinhua/Zhu Wei)
Players of Liverpool cheer before during the match between Liverpool and AC Milan of the Hong Kong Football Festival in Hong Kong, south China, July 26, 2025. (Xinhua/Zhu Wei)
Christian Pulisic (R) of AC Milan shoots during the match between Liverpool and AC Milan of the Hong Kong Football Festival in Hong Kong, south China, July 26, 2025. (Xinhua/Zhu Wei)
Dominik Szoboszlai (2nd L) of Liverpool celebrates with teammates during the match between Liverpool and AC Milan of the Hong Kong Football Festival in Hong Kong, south China, July 26, 2025. (Xinhua/Zhu Wei)
Cody Gakpo (top) of Liverpool competes during the match between Liverpool and AC Milan of the Hong Kong Football Festival in Hong Kong, south China, July 26, 2025. (Xinhua/Zhu Wei)
Starting players of Liverpool line up for photos before the match between Liverpool and AC Milan of the Hong Kong Football Festival in Hong Kong, south China, July 26, 2025. (Xinhua/Zhu Wei)
Gatekeeper Pietro Terracciano (front) of AC Milan reacts during the match between Liverpool and AC Milan of the Hong Kong Football Festival in Hong Kong, south China, July 26, 2025. (Xinhua/Zhu Wei)
