Liverpool 2–4 AC Milan Player Ratings: Rafael Leao Rated 8.5/10 as a Late-Goal from Noah Okafor Spoiled the Comeback Party for Liverpool

Liverpool's meet-up with AC Milan at the Kai Tak Sports Park on 26th July, 2025, for a club friendly meant way more than testing out the waters with both teams' newly-bought refreshments. It was a match full of goals that came from Rafael Leao, Loftus-Cheek, and Noah Okafor from Milan, while Liverpool had goals from Szoboszlai and Gakpo. Read on to find out Liverpool vs AC Milan player ratings. The match kicked off with a magical quick one-two by the Liverpool players that almost gave the match an early goal. While it seemed like Liverpool had it all in control, it was a quick counter from AC Milan that saw Rafael Leao with the ball running alongside Virgil van Dijk and beating the defender and the goalkeeper with a thumping left-footed shot that saw the roof of the net from inside.

However, the lead did not stand for long as Dominik Szoboszlai took one touch and one look at the goal after getting it from Rio Ngumoha, and then the Hungarian curved it with sheer confidence and direction to make it level. The match was still up for grabs for both teams after the first half, which ended after only one additional minute, after the normal 45 minutes. The second half started with heaps of substitutions. AC Milan regained their lead at the 51st minute with a goal from Loftus-Cheek, assisted by Leao. After coming from the bench, Noah Okafor made it 3-1 in the 59th minute. Cody Gakpo got one back with a great header in the 92nd minute. However, Milan struck back with a goal from Noah Okafor in the 94th minute. The score stood 2-4 after the final whistle. Here are the Liverpool vs AC Milan player ratings.

Liverpool Player Ratings vs AC Milan

Here are the Liverpool FC player ratings.

Goalkeeper

Alisson Becker- 7/10

Alisson Becker could do nothing to stop the Rafael Leao goal in the first half. Other than the goal, the Brazilian keeper had a tremendous performance for Liverpool, stopping multiple shots and, on many occasions, coming out of his box to clear the danger.

Defenders

Luca Stephenson- 7/10

It wouldn't be a stretch to say that Luca Stephenson was very reliable on the right-hand side of Liverpool's defense. From his quick passing at the opposition half to his defensive duties, he was in great form today and made sure of minimal trouble for the Liverpool defense from the right side.

Tyler Morton- 6/10

Even though Tyler Morton started in a defensive position, his position seemed to be interchanged with Gravenberch's. While it was an adequate performance from Tyler Morton in Liverpool's midfield, he was subbed off in the 32nd minute for the introduction of Nyoni.

Virgil van Dijk- 6.5/10

Virgil van Dijk had a good first half if you can look away from the first goal, where he could have allowed even more little space and time to Rafael Leao, who got the best out of his lack of attention and beat him and Alisson with a thumping shot that gave Milan the lead.

Andrew Robertson- 7/10

Andrew Robertson blended with the new introductions of the team perfectly and pretty much showed them how it's done when you play for a team like Liverpool. While we did not get to see his trademark galloping runs around the opposition full-back, we saw more of him in the defense today.

Midfielders

Florian Wirtz- 6.5/10

Drop of the shoulder, one-touches to steer the press out, fake-outs, quick one-twos, Florian Wirtz was a joy to watch in the match today. He almost opened up multiple opportunities for the likes of Harvey Elliott and Mo Salah, but there were no conversions in the first half.

Ryan Gravenberch- 6.5/10

Ryan Gravenberch started the game in his usual position, but later on took up a more defensive role as both Tyler Morton and Luca Stephenson were given the green light to go forward. He made a couple of great long balls in the first half.

Dominik Szoboszlai- 8/10

In addition to Szoboszlai's great passing in short spaces, he was the player in the match who won the most of the 2nd and 3rd balls. While his work rate is something that the Liverpool fans are accustomed to, he was seen more at the front today for a box-to-box midfielder. Confidence was oozing out of him as the Hungarian International kept his cool and made it 1-1 with a stunning curve shot with his right from the edge of the box.

Forwards

Mo Salah- 7/10

Salah adapted a very different approach in today's game as the Egyptian was seen more connecting with one-twos with his teammates by coming inside rather than stretching the defense line wide with his close control and dribbling. He had a great chance to level the score in the first half, but his decision-making did not allow him to do so.

Harvey Elliott- 6/10

Harvey Elliott was one of the players in Liverpool who had the highest number of touches. He started the game at the front line, acting as the false 9. However, after the introduction of Trey Nyoni, he dropped lower.

Rio Ngumoha- 7/10

Even though he was beaten on most 1v1s against Tomori today, he did not allow that to stop him from having a great game. He bagged the assist for the Szoboszlai goal and looked great on Liverpool's left flank today.

Substitutes

Trey Nyoni- 4/10

Trey Nyoni came onto the game in the 32nd minute. It was the first substitution of the game, and he took the place of Tyler Morton, but was put forward as Elliott dropped lower.

Milos Kerkez- 4/10

Milos Kerkez came onto the match at the beginning of the second half to replace Luca Stephenson.

Jeremie Frimpong- 4/10

Jeremie Frimpong came onto the match at the beginning of the second half to replace Florian Wirtz.

Cody Gakpo- 6/10

Cody Gakpo came onto the match at the beginning of the second half to replace Mo Salah. He scored the second goal for his team.

Ibrahima Konate- 4/10

Ibrahima Konate came onto the match at the beginning of the second half to replace Virgil van Dijk.

Kostas Tsimikas- 4/10

Kostas Tsimikas came on to the match at the beginning of the second half to replace Andrew Robertson.

Giorgi Mamardashvili- 4/10

Giorgi Mamardashvili came onto the match at the beginning of the second half to replace Alisson Becker.

Curtis Jones- 4/10

Curtis Jones came onto the match at the beginning of the second half to replace Dominik Szoboszlai.

Conor Bradley-4/10

Conor Bradley came onto the match at the beginning of the second half to replace Rio Ngumoha.

Ben Doak- 4/10

Ben Doak came on to the match at the beginning of the second half to replace Harvey Elliott.

Manager

Arne Slot- 5/10

While it was mission accomplished for Arne Slot, who got to give almost all the important players game time, he will expect more from his team in the coming matches. In addition to trying new players, the manager also used players in different positions to test the versatility of his team.

AC Milan Player Ratings vs Liverpool

Here are the AC Milan player ratings.

Goalkeeper

Mike Maignan- 5/10

Mike Maignan had a pretty quiet game, especially in the first half. However, the French keeper gave his team an earful after they allowed a few seconds to Dominic Szoboszlai, who beat Maignan with a curling shot.

Defenders

Malick Thiaw- 6/10

Malick Thiaw held his ground well against the constant oncoming attacks from Liverpool. He was a great partner to Fiakyo Tomori in today's match. He won all his ground duels and all the aerial duels as well in the first half.

Fikayo Tomori- 7/10

Fikayo Tomori had a solid defensive performance today. He held his ground well today, whether it was the combination from the middle or Liverpool's approach through the wings, he was the key player in AC Milan's three-man defense today.

Strahinja Pavlovic- 6/10

Unlike Thiaw, Strahinja Pavlovic won only half of his ground duels in the first half. He was dribbled past once in the first half but made a total of two clearances and an important interception. He sure had a tough time against Salah today.

Midfielders

Davide Bartesaghi- 5.5/10

In the totality of the first half, Davide Bartesaghi ensured a 100% passing accuracy, a feat worthy of praise against this Liverpool side, which can be both relentless and controlled with their press.

Samuele Ricci- 5.5/10

Samuele Ricci had a decent game today in the AC Milan midfield, where the midfielder maintained around 90% passing accuracy throughout the game on average. He stayed back for his team to protect the defensive line.

Youssouf Fofana- 5.5/10

Youssouf Fofana had a total of 13 touches in the 45 minutes he played before he got subbed off. He maintained a total of 90% passing accuracy throughout the first half. Moreover, Youssouf Fofana won all his ground duels.

Ruben Loftus-Cheek- 6/10

Ruben Loftus-Cheek was the most active player in the AC Milan midfield today. From helping his team build up from the back to making the key passes at the flanks, his performance today against Liverpool will certainly assuage Massimiliano Allegri's uncertainty with the team's midfield options. He scored the second goal of the match to give Milan their lead back.

Alexis Saelemaekers- 6.5/10

While Alexis Saelemaekers had a slow start in the game, in the second half, he was given the green light to go forward. He bagged the assist for the third goal that was scored by Noah. Had a great rest of the game from there.

Forwards

Rafael Leao- 8.5/10

Rafael Leao's individual skills and ball control allowed him to test Alisson from distance. While the shot had power, it was straight to the Brazilian keeper, who made a textbook save. However, his second attempt at the goal beat both van Dijk and Alisson and gave AC Milan the lead. Picked up an assist in the second half.

Christian Pulisic- 6.5/10

Had an early opportunity after Alisson's delivery was caught by the AC Milan players, but the Liverpool players brought back the numbers quickly to limit his options, and eventually Pulisic shot it straight to Alisson.

Substitutes

Yunus Musah- 4/10

Yunus Musah came onto the game at the beginning of the second half.

Pietro Terracciano- 4/10

Pietro Terracciano also came into the game at the beginning of the second half alongside Yunus Musah and Matteo Gabbia.

Matteo Gabbia- 4/10

Matteo Gabbia came into the match to replace Pavlovic. He came alongside Yunus Musah and Terracciano.

Noah Okafor- 6/10

Noah Okafor was the last sub among the 4-man changes Allegri made at the beginning of the second half. He replaced Pulisic. He had a brace after coming on.

Samuel Chukwueze- 4/10

Samuel Chukwueze came onto the match in the 63rd minute to replace Rafael Leao.

Manager

Massimiliano Allegri- 6.5/10

Massimiliano Allegri kept things simple for his team. Like Liverpool, AC Milan also made a huge number of substitutions. However, the quality was better in the AC Milan line-up today, and the result said the same.

Sportsdunia Player of the match is Rafael Leao.