Liverpool are set to continue their pre-season tour in Asia with a tough game against Italian giants AC Milan on Friday.
It will be their first match in Hong Kong since 2017, when they beat Crystal Palace and Leicester City in the Premier League Asia Trophy.
The Reds come into this fixture full of confidence after a 3-1 win over Preston and a 5-0 behind-closed-doors victory against Stoke City. Arne Slot’s men will now face their toughest test yet as they look to build fitness and rhythm ahead of the new campaign.
The manager has used different starting XIs in each half so far, but is expected to go with a more settled team against Milan. Some key players could also make their first pre-season appearances.
Liverpool Predicted Lineup vs AC Milan (4-3-3)
Defence
Giorgi Mamardashvili is expected to start in goal again after featuring in the first half of both games so far. Alisson may return to action soon, but this could be another chance for the Georgian to impress.
Conor Bradley has looked sharp at right-back and will likely keep his place, though Jeremie Frimpong’s arrival means he is playing for his spot long-term. Joe Gomez may continue alongside Virgil van Dijk in central defence, while Andy Robertson is set for more minutes at left-back. New signing Milos Kerkez could also come off the bench after his brief outing against Stoke.
Midfield
Trey Nyoni has impressed in both games and could be handed another start in midfield. The 16-year-old has shown real confidence in possession and a good engine. He may be joined by Dominik Szoboszlai, who looks sharp and fit, and Ryan Gravenberch, who has played in both matches and continues to grow in the No.6 role under Slot.
Attack
Mohamed Salah and Darwin Núñez both started against Preston and could return to the lineup here. Núñez is in great form, having scored four goals so far in pre-season, including a hat-trick in just 14 minutes against Stoke. On the left, Rio Ngumoha may get another opportunity after scoring in midweek. The teenager looked lively and could start ahead of Cody Gakpo or Luis Díaz, whose future remains uncertain.
Predicted XI:
Mamardashvili; Bradley, Gomez, Van Dijk, Robertson; Nyoni, Szoboszlai, Gravenberch; Salah, Nunez, Ngumoha
