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Liverpool vs. AC Milan: A Frustrating Pre-Season Defeat

Liverpool suffered a frustrating 4-2 defeat against AC Milan in a pre-season friendly, with the match highlighting both the team's potential and their ongoing defensive issues. The game, played at the **Kai Tak Stadium in Hong Kong**, featured a strong lineup for both teams, despite some notable absences for Liverpool.

Goals and Key Moments

- **Rafael Leão** opened the scoring for AC Milan with a well-executed counter-attack in the 10th minute. - **Dominik Szoboszlai** equalized for Liverpool with a curled effort in the 26th minute, assisted by **Rio Ngumoha**. - After halftime, **Ruben Loftus-Cheek** restored Milan's lead with a goal in the 52nd minute. - **Noah Okafor** added a third for Milan just before the hour mark, catching Liverpool on a quick counter-attack. - In the final minutes, **Cody Gakpo** pulled one back for Liverpool with a header in stoppage time, but a critical error by **Giorgi Mamardashvili** and **Kostas Tsimikas** allowed Okafor to score his second, securing a fourth goal for Milan.

Team Performance and Player Ratings

Liverpool's lineup included some experimentation, with **Florian Wirtz** playing as a centre-forward and **Rio Ngumoha** impressing alongside **Mo Salah**. The team's inability to manage transitions and defensive mix-ups were highlighted, particularly with **Virgil van Dijk** receiving criticism for his performance. Despite these challenges, Ngumoha's energetic display was a bright spot for the Reds. The defeat serves as a learning experience for Liverpool as they prepare for the upcoming season, emphasizing the need to refine their defensive strategies and capitalize on scoring opportunities.
PP