Liverpool begin their pre-season tour of Asia this weekend, with a clash against Italian giants AC Milan first up for the Premier League Champions.
It will be the first time that the Reds have visited Asia since 2023, with Saturday’s opener against the Rossoneri the first to take place in the newly-opened Kai Tak Stadium in Hong Kong.
While a key purpose of pre-season friendlies is to help the players build match fitness, they also offer Arne Slot a valuable opportunity to assess the depth of his squad, and determine which players will fit into his plans for the start of the season.
It also provides a platform for younger players to catch the manager’s eye, with the likes of Rio Ngumoha, Trey Nyoni and Luca Stephenson eager to give Slot something to think about.
Liverpool fans will no doubt be excited to see club record signing Florian Wirtz in action. The German international featured in the behind-closed-doors friendly against Stoke City, making an instant impact on his debut with two assists in an impressive 5-0 win. An accomplished number 10, it will be interesting to see how Slot incorporates the big money signing into his starting eleven.
AC Milan will be without their new signing Luka Modric at the start of the tour, as the Croatian maestro is expected to join the squad later. Despite his absence, the Rossoneri boast plenty of quality and experience across the pitch, ensuring they remain a formidable opponent.
Slot will be looking for a positive performance from his squad in their first match of this trip. A victory against Milan will set the tone for the rest of the tour, and look to build a foundation for a successful season ahead.
