Liverpool continued their pre-season preparations against AC Milan at Kai Tak Sports Park in Hong Kong on Saturday, and Arne Slot named some big hitters in his starting lineup. New £79million striker Hugo Ekitike was absent from the squad, as were injured duo Alexis Mac Allister and Joe Gomez, as the Reds began their tour of Asia.

Samuele Ricci has described his Milan teammate Rafael Leao as “a player who can really make the difference for us”, telling the Gazzetta dello Sport that “maybe even he doesn’t realise how strong and talented he is.”

China’s failure to impose itself on the football stage is an issue that continues to baffle many in the game. Despite its vast size and population, it has failed to qualify for a men’s World Cup since 2002 and will once again miss out on the 2026 edition after finishing behind Indonesia in qualifying.

Liverpool supporters and their former forward and manager Kenny Dalglish led tributes to Diogo Jota and his brother Andre Silva before a pre-season friendly against AC Milan in Hong Kong on Saturday.

Arne Slot leaves Luis Diaz out of AC Milan friendly due to ongoing speculation - Bayern Munich are understood to have reopened dialogue with the Premier League champions.

Chinese rapping star and influential YouTuber among AC Milan followers in Hong Kong, while Liverpool trailed by three fan channels.