VIDEO: Rafael Leao replicates Diogo Jota's celebration in touching tribute to late Portugal team-mate after scoring outrageous goal for AC Milan against Liverpool

Rafael Leao paid a touching tribute to compatriot and Liverpool star Diogo Jota, who, along with his brother Andre Silva tragically past away on July 3 in a car crash in Spain. Leao scored an outrageous goal in the pre-season friendly between AC Milan and the Reds in Hong Kong and then gestured 20 with his hand to indicate Jota's jersey number at Anfield.

Leao broke the deadlock against Liverpool
Paid a touching tribute to compatriot Jota
AC Milan beat Liverpool 4-2

Follow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱

WHAT HAPPENED?
Leao followed a through ball from Christian Pulisic in a quick counter-attack and rushed towards the Liverpool goal. Van Dijk tracked back and closed in on the Portuguese winger and even tried to block the shot, but Leao found the back of the net with a powerful strike. After scoring the early goal, the Milan star gestured 20 to pay a heartfelt tribute to Jota in front of the Liverpool fans.

WATCH THE CLIP
AFP
THE BIGGER PICTURE
Arne Slot had earlier left out Luis Diaz and Darwin Nunez from the matchday squad amid speculations over their Anfield exit. While Nunez could head to Napoli or the Saudi Pro League, Diaz has attracted strong interest from Bayern Munich.

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

Getty Images Sport
WHAT NEXT FOR LIVERPOOL?
Arne Slot's side went down 4-2 against the Serie A giants in their first pre-season friendly of their Asia tour. They will next face Yokohama F Marinos in the J League World Challenge final on July 30.

WHAT HAPPENED?

WATCH THE CLIP

THE BIGGER PICTURE

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

WHAT NEXT FOR LIVERPOOL?