Liverpool's pre-season campaign took a disappointing turn as they faced Monaco in a friendly match at Anfield on Sunday, ultimately losing 3-2. This match marked the first time Andoni Iraola stepped onto the touchline at Anfield as the manager of Liverpool, and it proved to be a challenging debut.
The Reds initially took control of the game, with goals from Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz giving them a promising 2-0 lead. However, this was not the first time Liverpool had squandered a lead in recent matches. Just a week prior, they had been in a similar position against Leeds United in Chicago, where they led 2-0 before succumbing to a 4-2 defeat. This pattern of failing to maintain their advantage has raised concerns as the team prepares for the upcoming Premier League season.
Monaco responded to Liverpool's early goals with resilience. Aleksandr Golovin converted a penalty to bring the score to 2-1, and Mika Biereth soon leveled the match at 2-2. The decisive moment came late in the game when Paris Brunner scored a header, sealing the victory for Monaco and leaving Liverpool to reflect on their inability to close out the match.
In the second half, Iraola made significant changes, substituting 11 players and giving new signing Victor Munoz his first appearance for Liverpool. Despite the changes, the team struggled to maintain their earlier momentum. Iraola commented on the match, noting the similarities to the previous week's game against Leeds. "We played really good in the first half, especially the first 30 minutes, but right now probably we don’t have much more in terms of the level required to play like this," he stated.
He acknowledged that while Liverpool started strong, Monaco's performance improved significantly in the second half, allowing them to turn the game around. Iraola also highlighted the return of key players such as captain Virgil van Dijk, goalkeeper Alisson Becker, and winger Cody Gakpo, all of whom made their first appearances since the World Cup. He expressed optimism about their performance, stating, "I think they were in different levels but mostly they were in a good place." However, he also noted that some players lacked the stamina to perform effectively for the full 90 minutes.
As Liverpool gears up for their Premier League opener against Newcastle United on August 23, this match serves as a reminder of the work that lies ahead for Iraola and his squad. The team's inability to hold onto leads in pre-season may require urgent attention as they aim to start the league campaign on a positive note.
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