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Arne Slot arrives at the stadium prior to the Pre-Season Friendly between Liverpool FC and AC Milan at Kai Tak Sports Park on July 26, 2025(Image: Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)

Liverpool's pre-season tour of Asia kicked off with a 4-2 defeat to AC Milan at the Kai Tak Stadium in Hong Kong on Saturday.

The Reds responded with a sublime Dominik Szoboszlai strike after the Italians had taken the lead through Rafa Leao, but two second-half goals from Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Noah Okafor gave the Rossoneri a commanding lead before Cody Gakpo grabbed a late header.

However, a mix-up between Kostas Tsimikas and new goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili saw Milan profit and seal the victory that wraps up the Premier League champions' near week in Hong Kong.

Next up for Arne Slot and his players is a jaunt to nearby Japan where they will meet Yokohama F Marinos at the Nissan Stadium.

The ECHO was at the Kai Tak to see how it all unfolded, here are some bits you might have missed from the first friendly in Hong Kong since 2017.

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Pitch frustrations

Concerns over the state of the Kai Tak Stadium's pitch were shared long before kick-off on the night itself.

One local who spoke to the ECHO on the day of the game described it as a "potato field" and it was noticeably unkempt during Thursday's open training session as the Reds went through their paces.

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Asked about the general facilities and resources of Hong Kong to host such elite-level pre-season games after the 4-2 loss to AC Milan, Reds captain Virgil van Dijk was full of praise for the region in general but admitted the pitch was far from perfect.

"I think for us as players, to come all the way here is a great thing, because you get to learn a different culture and you get to see so many different things that obviously I have never seen before," he said.

"I have never been in Hong Kong before so it has been positive, we had a little stroll around in Mong Kok the other day and it was nice.

I think today, the preparation of the pitch is probably the best they can do, it's only the thing maybe, in my opinion, where there is room for improvement but apart from that, the stadium is fantastic and the air conditioning certainly helped.

"In terms of pre-season, you want to get fit, you train in the warm climate and that will definitely help and overall we have had a fantastic time here, apart from the result tonight, I have definitely enjoyed my time here.

Let's see in the future if we all come back."

Slot has made his mind up on vice-captaincy

Arne Slot has confirmed he has made his decision on who will be his next Liverpool vice-captain.

The Reds boss has been searching for a successor for a number of weeks following Trent Alexander-Arnold's departure to Real Madrid.

Quizzed on the issue in the post-match mixed zone, a bemused Andy Robertson suggested online rumours of it being him were inaccurate but Slot did concede that the identity of Virgil van Dijk's deputy has been decided.

"It's true that Trent left the club but there is still enough leadership in the club," Slot said.

"I have already decided but I'm not telling everyone yet who the new vice-captain will be."

Cue a wry smile from club skipper Van Dijk, who was next to the head coach at the post-match press conference.

Jota tributes continue for club in mourning

Just hours after the club had announced further plans to remember Diogo Jota, Sir Kenny Dalglish paid a fresh tribute on Liverpool's behalf when he emerged with a wreath on the pitch at the Kai Tak Stadium, pre-match.

The legendary Sir Kenny laid the floral tribute down by the end where Liverpool's fans were situated and the supporters responded with a mosaic that spelled out 'DJ20' in memory of the popular Portuguese.

It's been a horrendous few weeks for the club after the sudden and shock death of such a beloved figure in Jota and his younger brother, Andre Silva, but they continue to act with utmost class where paying their respects are concerned.

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The players wore specially-designed patches displaying ‘Diogo J.