Liverpool vs AC Milan - Liverpool Fall 4-2 in Club Friendly

Dominik Szoboszlai scored in the first half, and Cody Gakpo bookended Liverpool’s performance with a header deep in second-half stoppage time. Still, the Reds surrendered four goals, mostly on AC Milan counterattacks, falling 4-2 in Hong Kong.

First Half

Liverpool looked the more dangerous side in the first 10 minutes, but AC Milan struck first. Rafael Leão scored from a tough angle on a counterattack after an assist from Christian Pulisic. Mohamed Salah passed up a golden opportunity moments later, trying to set up Florian Wirtz, but the Reds could not convert.

Despite being down 1-0, Liverpool continued to control the game, and it paid off with a goal. Dominik Szoboszlai connected on a shot from outside the box that found the top corner to equalise at 1-1 in the 26th minute

Liverpool had plenty of chances during the rest of the half from the likes of Salah and Andy Robertson. Alisson Becker also made a flurry of saves at the end of the half to keep the score tied at 1-1.

Second Half

Liverpool fell victim to the counterattack once again as Leão beat Conor Bradley and found Ruben Loftus-Cheek for an easy finish in the 52nd minute. After a long spell of possession from Liverpool, where the Reds pulled all their players high up the pitch. Noah Okafor made them pay with another counterattack strike near the hour mark, making the tally 3-1.

Liverpool continued to generate plenty of possession in the attacking third the rest of the way. Trey Nioni had a pair of shots sail over the bar. Jeremie Frimpong earned a free kick in the 80th minute, but Ibrihima Konate’s header was high. Curtis Jones and Cody Gakpo put shots wide. Gakpo did score late in stoppage time, but AC Milan scored seconds later to account for the 4-2 final.

Possession Doesn’t Mean Everything

Even though Liverpool had nearly 70 per cent possession, they gave up three goals on the counterattack as the defence failed to track back and cover. I know it’s just preseason, but that is an area of concern for Arne Slot and company. The rest of the match stats were pretty even, with AC Milan putting 8 shots on goal to Liverpool’s 7 while the Reds outshot the opposition 18-10 overall.

Where were Díaz and Núñez?

Luis Díaz and Darwin Núñez were conspicuously absent from the match today, further fueling transfer rumours swirling around Anfield. Núñez has had a particularly strong start to the pre-season, but with all the new weapons the Reds have, neither player may fit in Slot’s plans for the club.

A Word From Elliott.

Like most supporters, Harvey Elliott was disappointed in the Reds’ defensive effort.

"Four goals that we conceded in the end, and I think we could have avoided them somehow. But it's pre-season, and it's better to make these mistakes now than to make them throughout the season. We just need to learn from it, reflect and take the positives from today.”

LFC Globe Verdict

I hate to be an alarmist, but I did not get good vibes from this game like I did from the preseason matches a year ago. Does this mean the Reds are destined to have a bad season? Of course not. But the lack of defence was a bit troubling. With all the focus on the new signings, I hope Slot does not forget about the defence.