
Anfield Index
·26 July 2025
David Lynch’s Key Takeaways from Liverpool’s 2-4 Loss To AC Milan

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Yahoo sportsAnfield Index
·26 July 2025
Liverpool’s 4-2 defeat to AC Milan in Hong Kong may not count for points, but it certainly offered plenty for Arne Slot to ponder. Speaking on his official YouTube channel, journalist David Lynch was frank in his assessment: “Liverpool looked to me so easy to counter on throughout that game.”
Despite holding 68% of the possession and recording 18 shots, the Reds were constantly exposed by Milan’s clinical transitions. “They were just brutal really with the ease with which they were cutting through Liverpool at will,” Lynch noted. “Two or three passes and they were straight at Liverpool’s backline.”
The numbers tell the story. Milan, with only 32% of the ball, managed 10 shots and an impressive eight on target — one more than Liverpool managed themselves. “If you’re a team that wants to dominate possession… the very very good teams don’t only choke you and pull you apart… they also make it so that you just can’t get out, you can’t breathe,” Lynch added, pointing to a clear area of focus for Slot in the coming weeks.
Amid the defensive chaos, there were flashes of quality in Liverpool’s attacking play, most notably from new arrival Florian Wirtz. While the stats were modest — “one out of two ground duels won, one out of two dribbles, zero shots, no goals, no assists” — Lynch urged fans not to judge the German on numbers alone.
“I just thought he was magic at times really,” Lynch said. “Some of the touches in tight areas, just never looked flustered… he just looked incredible.” Deployed in a false nine role, Wirtz dictated tempo, linked up intelligently and showcased why Liverpool paid what could rise to £116 million for his services. “He just looks comfortable all over the pitch,” Lynch added, praising his ability to “orchestrate Liverpool’s attacks” and keep defenders guessing.
Wirtz may have been eye-catching, but 16-year-old Rio Ngumoha was arguably the most exciting player on the pitch. “His numbers were outstanding,” Lynch said, highlighting that Ngumoha “created the most chances in that first half with two, won the most duels with four, completed the most dribbles with three.”
What impressed Lynch most, however, was a specific attacking moment: “There was a moment in that first half where he’s dribbling a player just inside the box… and gets a really powerful shot away that needs saving.” The fact that Ngumoha trusted his weaker foot and varied his approach was “really really important,” according to Lynch. “You keep defenders guessing all the time.”
Equally notable was the trust his teammates placed in him: “So many top players in that team absolutely trust him with the ball… and know how good he is.” For a player of his age, that is no small feat.
With Joe Gomez sidelined by an Achilles issue, Liverpool’s centre-back shortage came into sharp focus. “Just a mixed cast of characters,” Lynch observed, with midfielders like Ryan Gravenberch and Wataru Endo filling in at the back during the game. “It just underlines that Liverpool need to do something at centre half.”
Photo: IMAGO
While Lynch dismissed the idea of signing two central defenders as “quite unrealistic,” he was unequivocal in his conclusion: “They definitely need one centre half at the minimum.” He also confirmed that Crystal Palace’s Marc Guéhi is “100% an option” being monitored closely, though no formal approach has been made.
The loss to AC Milan might sting, but Lynch was quick to remind viewers of the bigger picture. “Important run out, some stuff to work on tactically, some things learned… and I love the tributes to Diogo as well.” With the next stop of the tour in Japan, the Premier League kick-off just three weeks away, and standout performances from Wirtz and Ngumoha, Slot’s Liverpool have both lessons to learn and plenty to build on.