Liverpool return to action in Hong Kong on Friday when they take on AC Milan in their third game of pre-season at the newly opened Kai Tak Sports Park.
The Reds have made a strong start to their summer, beating Preston North End 3-1 and easing past Stoke City 5-0 in a behind-closed-doors friendly at the AXA Training Centre. A tribute is expected before kick-off in what should be an emotional occasion for the travelling squad and supporters in Asia.
AC Milan, meanwhile, are preparing for a new chapter under returning coach Max Allegri after finishing eighth in Serie A last season.
Liverpool vs AC Milan – Preview
Liverpool have already played twice this summer as they begin preparations for the new season under Arne Slot. Their first outing came away to Preston North End, where a mixed squad of youth and senior players secured a 3-1 win at Deepdale.
Conor Bradley opened the scoring after a well-worked move, before Darwin Núñez and Cody Gakpo added second-half goals. It was also the first game since the tragic passing of Diogo Jota and his brother André Silva, with emotional tributes paid before and during the match.
A week later, the Reds hosted Stoke City in a behind-closed-doors friendly at the AXA Training Centre and cruised to a 5-0 win. Darwin Núñez stole the show with a first-half hat-trick, taking his tally to four goals in two games. Rio Ngumoha also found the net, while Federico Chiesa came off the bench to complete the scoring.
That match also saw new £116m signing Florian Wirtz make his first appearance, starting behind a front three of Salah, Núñez, and Ngumoha. Giorgi Mamardashvili and Freddie Woodman have also featured in goal, as Slot rotates his squad and tests different systems.
AC Milan, meanwhile, closed out last season with a 2-0 home win over Monza on the final day of the Serie A campaign. Matteo Gabbia scored from a corner and João Félix added a free-kick as the Rossoneri finished eighth on 63 points. The victory was a bright end to an otherwise disappointing season, which also included a Coppa Italia final defeat to Bologna.
New head coach Max Allegri has returned for a second spell in charge and will begin his pre-season on Wednesday when Milan face Arsenal in Singapore. That result could give a better picture of their current form before the clash with Liverpool in Hong Kong.
Liverpool vs AC Milan – Team News
Liverpool have named a 29-man squad for their Asia tour, with Alexis Mac Allister included despite not yet featuring in pre-season. The midfielder is recovering from injury and trained individually in Hong Kong, while Stefan Bajcetic remains sidelined, and Federico Chiesa has been left out with a minor issue. Hugo Ekitike is expected to join the squad once his transfer is finalised.
Harvey Elliott and Tyler Morton return after winning the U21 Euros with England, and all senior stars, including Salah, Van Dijk and Wirtz, are on the trip. Luis Diaz and Ben Doak are also involved despite uncertainty around their futures.
Elsewhere, AC Milan arrive in Asia under returning boss Max Allegri, who begins his second stint in charge of the Rossoneri. Real Madrid legend Luka Modric will wear the red and black this season, but the 39-year-old has been left out of the tour squad after taking part in the Club World Cup. Fellow new arrival Samuele Ricci is included and is expected to slot into midfield as Allegri tests new ideas.
Milan are adjusting to life without two of last season’s key men, Theo Hernandez, who joined Al Hilal, and Tijjani Reijnders, now at Manchester City. However, the club have responded with the signings of Ricci and Ecuadorian left-back Pervis Estupiñán, who joins from Brighton to fill the void at left-back.
While further additions are expected, some regulars will still feature on tour, including Rafael Leao, still linked with Arsenal, and Swiss forward Noah Okafor, who may lead the line in the absence of Santiago Gimenez.
Head-to-Head and Previous Meetings
Liverpool have won each of their last six games against AC Milan. The most recent was a 3-1 victory at San Siro on September 17, 2024, in the Champions League. Christian Pulisic gave Milan an early lead, but goals from Konaté, Van Dijk, and Szoboszlai turned the game around.
Before that, the Reds won 4-1 in a friendly in December 2022. In the 2021 Champions League group stage, they claimed 3-2 and 2-1 wins home and away. Two earlier friendlies in 2016 and 2014 also ended in 2-0 victories. Across the six matches, Liverpool have scored 16 goals and conceded just five.
Key Stats
- Liverpool have won their last 6 matches against AC Milan in all competitions
- 16 goals scored by Liverpool across those 6 games, averaging 2.67 goals per match.
- Only 5 goals conceded in that same run, an average of 0.83 per game.
- 3 competitive wins in the Champions League since 2021 (3-2, 2-1, 3-1).
- Liverpool have scored 3+ goals in 4 of those 6 meetings.
- Clean sheets in 3 of the 6 games (2014, 2016, 2022).
- The last Milan win over Liverpool was in the 2007 Champions League final, none in regular time since then.
Liverpool will look to continue their strong pre-season form against a Milan side still adjusting under the second spell of manager Massimiliano Allegri.
