Liverpool continued their pre-season preparations against AC Milan at Kai Tak Sports Park in Hong Kong on Saturday, and Arne Slot named some big hitters in his starting lineup. New £79million striker Hugo Ekitike was absent from the squad, as were injured duo Alexis Mac Allister and Joe Gomez, as the Reds began their tour of Asia.
Rafael Leao opened the scoring in the 10th minute after profiting from a lapse in Liverpool‘s defending in front of a raucous Far East crowd. However, Dominik Szoboszlai brilliantly fired his side level on 26 minutes, and the teams went into half-time locked at 1-1.
Slot made nine changes at the break before Milan sealed a 4-2 victory through Ruben Loftus-Cheek’s strike and a Noah Okafor brace. Cody Gakpo netted a late header.
Express Sport runs through the Liverpool player ratings from a messy performance in Hong Kong.
Liverpool first-half player ratings vs AC Milan
Alisson: 6
Was lucky that Szoboszlai bought a foul after giving him a ball inside the Liverpool area that he clearly did not want under pressure. Made some important saves as Milan profited from an open defence.
Luca Stephenson: 4
Caught out by Christian Pulisic’s ball down the left in the build-up to Leao’s opener. It was always going to be a tough assignment for the 21-year-old.
Ryan Gravenberch: 7
Well, he is not a centre-back, but he is a midfielder, and that was clear from the pinpoint long balls he was playing out of defence. Stunning pass to Rio Ngumoha in the build-up to Szoboszlai’s leveller. Played the full match!
Virgil van Dijk: 4
Could not cover Stephenson and did not pressure well enough as Leao bore down on Alisson’s goal ahead of finishing into the top corner. Also did not help Ryan Gravenberch by going on an adventure up the pitch at every opportunity. Got a boot in the face late on. Looked painful.
Andrew Robertson: 6
Certainly did not put the friend in friendly when he fumed with the referee after not receiving a penalty.
Tyler Morton: 4
Milan cut through him. Not a defensive midfielder, so it was a tough afternoon in a trio also consisting of very attacking-minded players in Harvey Elliott and Szoboszlai. Went off during a drinks break.
Harvey Elliott: 6
Interestingly started while Luis Diaz and Darwin Nunez, also expected to leave this summer, were not even named on the bench. Was spreading the ball nicely.
Dominic Szoboszlai: 8
It is bemusing to see some Liverpool dream XIs for next season without him in them. As pure a ball striker as they come, which he proved again by lashing one past Mike Maignan to raise the roof off the Kai Tak.
Had a clear shot at goal after some sumptuous play up the pitch by Liverpool, but uncharacteristically stuttered. Decided to lay it off for Wirtz, and the chance went begging.
Rio Ngumoha: 8
The 17-year-old looks a special talent. Completed the most dribbles (3) and won the most duels (4) throughout the first half. Provided the assist for Szoboszlai and tested Maignan himself.
Florian Wirtz: 6
Involved in some tidy interchanges as a false nine. Displayed pace, a deceptive level of strength and quick feet.
Liverpool second-half player ratings
Giorgi Mamardashvili: 4
Could do nothing about Milan’s first two goals in the second half. He will hope his outfield is far less easy to counter-attack against when the real business begins. Kostas Tsimikas did him dirty with a woeful pass for the last-minute fourth.
Milos Kerkez: 4
Gave Alexis Saelemaekers the freedom of Hong Kong before he set up Okafor’s goal to put the result out of doubt.
Ibrahima Konate: 6
Dominant in the tackle but nowhere to be seen for Loftus-Cheek’s go-ahead goal. A late assist for Cody Gakpo. Nice cross.
Kostas Tsimikas: 3
Got himself involved but was killed in transition with the rest of his teammates. Atrocious pass to Mamardashvili when Liverpool threw the kitchen sink at it for a dramatic equaliser gift-wrapped Okafor his second.
Conor Bradley: 4
Simply could not keep up with Leao’s pace and power as he charged through before teeing up Loftus-Cheek.
Trey Nyoni: 5
Struggled to have much of a say in the match.
Curtis Jones: 6
Did not look at the races physically but some neat passing on show.
Ben Doak: 4
Only touched the ball 17 times and lost both of his ground duels.
Jeremie Frimpong: 7
Liverpool were defensively deficient in Hong Kong, but he looked the part going forward. Found himself in a nice position to direct a Cody Gakpo cross towards goal. Won the most duels on the pitch (6).
Cody Gakpo: 8
Good header to offer Liverpool some very late hope of an equaliser… before Milan scored a fourth moments later. The Dutchman was on it, creating four chances and taking three shots.
Content Source: www.express.co.uk