Red Shirts in Hong Kong: Liverpool Face Familiar Foes in AC Milan
A pre-season test with history, silverware and tactical questions for both Allegri and Slot
Familiar Faces in a Faraway City
Liverpool’s pre-season preparations continue early this afternoon with a clash against AC Milan at the Kai Tak Stadium in Hong Kong. The match, kicking off at 12.30pm BST (7.30pm local time), pits two of European football’s most recognisable clubs against one another for the Standard Chartered Trophy.
The Reds have made a steady start under new manager Arne Slot, following up a composed display against Kawasaki Frontale with a confident behind closed doors win over Stoke City. However, facing Milan will present a different kind of challenge entirely. This is no longer just about minutes in the legs it is about testing ideas, formations, and chemistry against a capable opponent with their own ambitions.
This is also the final fixture of Liverpool’s Asia tour. Having impressed supporters with accessibility, media content and visible unity in the camp, the tour’s success now rests on what happens under the lights in Hong Kong.
How to Watch in the UK
For Liverpool fans wanting to watch the match from the UK, this game will not be available on traditional TV. Instead, it will be streamed exclusively through All Red Video, the club’s official video platform.
To tune in:
A monthly subscription is £4.99
Live coverage includes pre-match build-up, commentary and interviews
Audio commentary is also available through the LFC App for those on the move. This will be the last chance to catch Liverpool live from Asia before they head back to Europe for the remainder of pre-season.
A Rivalry Revisited
There is no shortage of history between these two clubs. While this is just a friendly, the name AC Milan will always mean something special to Liverpool fans.
The pair have met five times in competitive matches, most famously in two Champions League finals. The 2005 Miracle of Istanbul, where Liverpool came from three goals down to win on penalties, is etched in football folklore. Milan got their revenge in 2007, winning 2-1 in Athens, but the story didn’t end there.
More recently, they met in the 2021 Champions League group stage, with Liverpool winning both fixtures. Then, in September last year, Arne Slot’s side travelled to the San Siro and came away with a composed 3-1 victory in the group phase. The Reds dominated large portions of the match, showing tactical maturity and composure in hostile surroundings.
This match, then, while unofficial, still carries undertones of that broader European story. A win might not bring points, but it certainly adds narrative.
Who Are Milan Now?
Milan, for all their historic success, are a team in transition. Following a disappointing domestic campaign last season, in which they finished eighth in Serie A, they are now under the guidance of returning head coach Massimiliano Allegri.
Allegri, who previously managed Milan from 2010 to 2014, returns with a reputation for tactical pragmatism and defensive organisation. The task before him is steep. Milan did not qualify for the Champions League and were knocked out early from last season’s edition. They did, however, win the Supercoppa Italiana, and reached the final of the Coppa Italia.
They have also been active in the transfer window. Luka Modric, the Croatian maestro, has joined from Real Madrid, while Pervis Estupiñán has been added to bolster the left flank. Despite these additions, they were beaten 1-0 by Arsenal in Singapore on Wednesday night, suggesting Allegri still has work to do to find fluency.
Milan remain dangerous, especially in possession. But questions remain around their pace at the back and whether they can keep up with an energetic Liverpool press.
Slot’s Shape: Building Identity with Flexibility
Under Arne Slot, Liverpool are evolving. Klopp’s era of high octane, heavy metal football has given way to a more measured, positional approach. Slot favours structured pressing, short passing phases, and intelligent movement from deep.
Key to this is Florian Wirtz, the German playmaker brought in to operate in the half spaces. Whether used as an eight or in a more advanced role, Wirtz adds guile and control. He could be the creative link Liverpool have needed since Philippe Coutinho’s departure.
Behind him, the midfield pairing of Curtis Jones and Ryan Gravenberch has looked tidy, while full backs Jeremie Frimpong and Milos Kerkez offer energy and width on both sides. New goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili adds authority at the back and looks set to be a permanent fixture between the posts.
Slot’s challenge will be keeping the side compact, especially when pushing full backs high. Milan will try to draw Liverpool out, especially through the experience of Modric in midfield. It will be a true tactical test for Slot’s high line and spacing.
Predicted Line-Up
Given the desire to build understanding ahead of the competitive season, Slot may field something close to his strongest available side. Expect rotations in the second half, but the starting XI could resemble the following:
Mamardashvili
Frimpong, Konaté, Gomez, Kerkez
Gravenberch, Wirtz, Curtis Jones
Salah, Nunez, Ngumoha
One player everyone will want to see is Hugo Ekitike. The French forward joined from Eintracht Frankfurt and has impressed in training this week. Whether he starts or comes off the bench, fans will be keen to judge his mobility and link up play.
What to Expect From Milan
Allegri’s Milan will likely set up in a 4-2-3-1 or 4-3-3 shape, depending on who starts in midfield. With the experience of Modric and the physicality of Ruben Loftus-Cheek, they can be dangerous in transition. However, their backline may struggle against pace and aggressive pressing.
The Italian side struggled to progress from deep areas against Arsenal earlier this week, often losing possession in central midfield. If Liverpool push high, especially through Wirtz and Salah, this could be a productive area.
While results are secondary, the Standard Chartered Trophy is still up for grabs. This match, more than most friendlies, carries weight in terms of reputation and confidence
What the Bosses Said
Speaking ahead of the game, Massimiliano Allegri described Liverpool as a “very structured, high quality side” and highlighted the need for Milan to adapt quickly to the pace and physicality of pre-season opposition.
Arne Slot, for his part, remained focused on rhythm and integration. He commented on the importance of building combinations and giving players like Wirtz and Ekitike time to settle. He also hinted that key players will see more minutes this weekend.
The tone from both camps is clear. This is more than just a run-out. It is preparation for the real thing.
Fan View: Join the Debate
We want to hear from you.
Should Ekitike start or be eased in off the bench?
Would you move Wirtz into a deeper role or play him closer to goal?
Do you prefer Kerkez over Robertson on the left, based on early signs?
And is Mamardashvili already looking like Liverpool’s most important summer signing?
Drop your predictions, line-ups and bold takes in the comments. Join us live in the Anfieldindex Discord, where we will be watching and reacting in real time.
Conclusion: More Than a Friendly
While trophies are not won in July, patterns often are. Liverpool are building something under Arne Slot. The Milan game will not define the season, but it may confirm which players are ready, which ideas are working, and who needs more time.
For Milan, it is a chance to show they are more than their recent results suggest. For Liverpool, it is about sharpening tools ahead of the Premier League curtain raiser.
No matter the result, Liverpool and Milan always put on a show.