Liverpool were beaten 4-2 by AC Milan as they stepped up their pre-season preparations on Saturday.

There was plenty of excitement about the Reds heading into the game, with the arrival of Hugo Ekitike on Wednesday whetting the appetite ahead of the match.

Unfortunately, Liverpool did not deliver in terms of the result, as they were far too easily beaten on the counterattack several times.

Nevertheless, there were still positives to take from the game, not least the performance of record signing Florian Wirtz.

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Wirtz put in a stunning 45-minute display to highlight exactly what he’s going to bring to this Liverpool team.

And as former Reds striker Neil Mellor mentioned, the way the German linked up with Mohamed Salah in particular was especially pleasing.

Photo by Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images

Liverpool supporters have been desperate to see Wirtz in action ever since his signing was confirmed in June.

There were some clips from last weekend’s win over Stoke, but Saturday was the first time fans had the chance to watch Wirtz in the flesh.

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It’s safe to say he did not disappoint.

And speaking to LFCTV at half time of the match in Hong Kong, Mellor praised the link-up with Salah.

“He’s always looking how to find Salah and how can they link up,” said the pundit.

On the ball he’s creative, he’s intelligent, looking to link up.

“He’s a player who can make a difference in the final third, his head’s up, always looking what can he pick out and I thought what really stood out is that he was always looking for Salah.

He was operating as a false nine but he popped up in the six as well.”

Last season, Salah was left to do the bulk of both scoring and creating for Liverpool.

An AC Milan defender cut the ball out to stop what would have been a sensational goal.

That won’t be the last time we see Wirtz and Salah bamboozling defences, and that is a fantastic thought for Liverpool fans.