Defensive Lessons and Rising Stars in Hong Kong Preseason ClashEasy to Counter, Hard to IgnoreLiverpool’s 4-2 defeat to AC Milan in Hong Kong may not count for points, but

LIVERPOOL suffered their first defeat of pre-season as they were run ragged by AC Milan in Hong Kong. To make matters worse, Arne Slot’s side conceded a comical 94th-minute goal to compound

The reigning Bundesliga champions have endured a summer of spurned advances and failed bids. Nico Williams signed a new contract with Athletic Club, VfB Stuttgart have held firm on their valuation of Nick Woltemade and Liverpool beat Bayern to the record-breaking acquisition of Florian Wirtz.

The midfielder’s eye for a forward pass was on display throughout, expanding on the short passing range glimpsed during the limited Stoke footage. Slot appears to be shaping a system that will ask Wirtz to dictate tempo, orchestrate movement and exploit pockets – but crucially, one that will depend on a proper number nine for full effect.

Liverpool were dealt a lesson in the art of the counter-attack as they were beaten 4-2 by AC Milan in Hong Kong. The Reds, playing the first game of their pre-season tour of Asia, arrived at the Kai Tak Sports Park in good spirits after morale-bolstering wins over Preston and Stoke City in their first friendlies of the new campaign.

Liverpool and AC Milan have got their pre-season friendly in Hong Kong off to a brilliant start.After Rafael Leao’s fantastic individual opener for the Italian side, Liverpool have levelled before

French striker Hugo Ekitike has completed his £79m move from Eintracht Frankfurt to Liverpool, with the 23-year-old agreeing a six-year contract at Anfield