Liverpool vs Milan: where to watch the European friendly live and probable lineups Por Bruna
8 min de leitura
 |
Liverpool and Milan face off this Saturday, July 26, 2025, at 8:30 AM (Brasília time) in a pre-season international friendly at the Kai Tak Sports Park in Kowloon, Hong Kong, with live broadcast on ESPN and Disney+. The clash, revisiting the historic 2007 Champions League final, marks the teams’ preparation for the 2025/26 season, testing new signings and tactical strategies. Liverpool, the reigning Premier League champions, aim to solidify their reinforced squad, while Milan, under new technical leadership, seeks to regain prominence in Italy and Europe. The match promises a high-level spectacle, featuring players like Mohamed Salah and Rafael Leão on the pitch.
The encounter brings together two European giants at different stages. Liverpool, led by Arne Slot, comes off a convincing 3-1 win against Preston North End, with goals from Conor Bradley, Darwin Núñez, and Cody Gakpo. Meanwhile, Milan, under Massimiliano Allegri, looks to bounce back from a 1-0 loss to Arsenal in a recent friendly in Singapore. The Hong Kong match serves as a gauge to assess the progress of both teams.
Siga o Mix Vale no Google e veja nossas notícias primeiro
- Venue: Kai Tak Sports Park, Kowloon, Hong Kong.
- Time: 8:30 AM (Brasília time), July 26, 2025.
- Broadcast: ESPN (cable TV) and Disney+ (streaming).
- Context: Pre-season friendly for the 2025/26 season.
Liverpool’s preparation for the new season
Liverpool arrives at the friendly with confidence after securing the Premier League title last season. Under Arne Slot’s leadership, the club invested heavily in the transfer market, bringing in names like Florian Wirtz, formerly of Bayer Leverkusen, Jeremie Frimpong, and Milos Kerkez. Goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili, returning from a loan at Valencia, also strengthens the squad. The 3-1 victory over Preston North End, from the English second division, showcased a team in progress, with standout defensive solidity and attacking efficiency.
Pre-season is crucial for fine-tuning the integration of new players. Despite domestic success, Liverpool aims to improve their Champions League performance, having been knocked out in the round of 16 last season. The match against Milan offers Slot a chance to test tactical formations and evaluate the performance of young prospects like Rio Ngumoha, listed among the starters.
Milan’s reinforcements and challenges
Milan, on the other hand, is in a rebuilding phase. After a disappointing eighth-place finish in the 2024/25 Serie A, the club is banking on Massimiliano Allegri’s return to restore its prominence. The board brought in reinforcements like goalkeeper Pietro Terracciano, left-back Pervis Estupiñán, and midfielder Samuele Ricci. Veteran Luka Modrić, formerly of Real Madrid, is the marquee signing but is absent from the Asian pre-season tour due to prior commitments.
The 1-0 defeat to Arsenal in Singapore exposed the need for tactical adjustments. Allegri is working on balancing defense and attack, relying on the creativity of Rafael Leão and Christian Pulisic in the offensive sector. The friendly against Liverpool will be a key test to gauge the team’s progress before their next match against Perth Glory in Australia.
- Milan’s signings: Pietro Terracciano, Pervis Estupiñán, Samuele Ricci, Luka Modrić.
- Absences: Luka Modrić, not traveling for the Asian tour.
- Latest result: 1-0 loss to Arsenal in Singapore.
History of the matchup
The Liverpool-Milan clash carries a rich history, particularly due to the 2005 and 2007 Champions League finals. In 2005, Liverpool staged an epic comeback in Istanbul, winning on penalties after trailing 3-0. Two years later, Milan got revenge in Athens, securing the title with a 2-1 victory. These legendary encounters add extra weight to the friendly, even in a pre-season context.
Both teams have faced off in other friendlies and official competitions, with balanced results. Liverpool has won three of the last five meetings, but Milan has always been a tough opponent, especially in Asia, where local fan support is significant.
Probable lineups and strategies
Liverpool is expected to field an attacking lineup, leveraging the speed of Mohamed Salah and Darwin Núñez. Arne Slot has favored a 4-3-3 formation, with Giorgi Mamardashvili in goal and a defensive line bolstered by Frimpong and Kerkez on the flanks. In midfield, Curtis Jones and Ryan Gravenberch are set to control the tempo, while Rio Ngumoha gets a chance in attack.
- Liverpool: Mamardashvili; Frimpong, Konaté, Gomez, Kerkez; Gravenberch, Endo, Jones; Salah, Núñez, Ngumoha.
- Coach: Arne Slot.
- Strategy: 4-3-3, focusing on quick transitions and high pressing.
Milan, under Allegri, is likely to adopt a more cautious approach with a 4-2-3-1 setup. Rafael Leão and Christian Pulisic will be the main attacking threats, with Loftus-Cheek and Ricci providing midfield support. The defense, led by Fikayo Tomori and Malick Thiaw, will aim to neutralize Liverpool’s advances.
- Milan: Terracciano; Tomori, Thiaw, Pavlovic, Saelemaekers; Loftus-Cheek, Ricci, Musah, Bartesaghi; Pulisic, Rafael Leão.
- Coach: Massimiliano Allegri.
- Strategy: 4-2-3-1, emphasizing counterattacks.
Where to watch and expectations for the match
The game will be broadcast live on ESPN Brazil (cable TV) and Disney+ (streaming), with coverage starting at 8:25 AM (Brasília time). For fans, the match is a chance to see new signings in action and assess the teams’ potential for the 2025/26 season. Liverpool enters as the favorite, but Milan, even in a rebuilding phase, has players capable of pulling off an upset.
The atmosphere at Kai Tak Sports Park is expected to be electric, with thousands of Asian fans, who have a strong connection with both clubs, in attendance. The anticipation is for a competitive match, with moments of individual brilliance and key tactical tests for the coaches.
- Broadcast channels: ESPN Brazil and Disney+.
- Coverage start time: 8:25 AM (Brasília time).
- Expected attendance: Around 40,000 fans at the stadium.
Fun facts about the friendly
The Hong Kong clash marks the start of a series of international friendlies for both clubs, aiming not only for technical preparation but also engagement with the Asian market. Liverpool, with its large regional fanbase, sees the game as an opportunity to strengthen its global brand. Milan, meanwhile, banks on Rafael Leão’s popularity to attract new supporters.
- The friendly revisits the 2007 Champions League final, won by Milan.
- Liverpool won their first two pre-season games, scoring eight goals.
- Milan debuts their new third kit, in yellow and green.
- Kai Tak Sports Park is one of Asia’s most modern stadiums, opened in 2024.
- This is the first Liverpool-Milan clash in Hong Kong.
Importance of pre-season
Pre-season is a critical time for clubs to refine strategies and integrate new players. For Liverpool, the goal is to maintain the competitive edge that led to the Premier League title while aiming for a deeper run in the Champions League. The friendly against Milan is a tough test against a heavyweight opponent, even in an unofficial setting.
For Milan, the match is a chance to measure up against one of Europe’s top teams. Allegri, known for his pragmatic approach, will use the game to assess young players like Davide Bartesaghi and the defensive system’s solidity. Modrić’s absence is a challenge but also opens opportunities for others to shine.
Impact on the Asian market
The Hong Kong friendly underscores the importance of the Asian market for European clubs. Liverpool and Milan have invested in regional marketing efforts, including fan events and commercial partnerships. Kai Tak Sports Park, with a 50,000-seat capacity, is an ideal stage to draw global attention, especially with the live broadcast reaching millions.
Hong Kong’s selection as the venue highlights its status as a sports hub in Asia. Beyond the sporting aspect, the event boosts the local economy, with sold-out tickets and high demand for official club merchandise.
- Marketing actions: Autograph sessions and fan events.
- Economic impact: Revenue from tickets, merchandising, and tourism.
- Global audience: Broadcast to over 50 countries via ESPN and Disney+.
