Liverpool surrendered a comfortable two‑goal cushion once again in a pre‑season friendly, as Monaco rallied from behind to clinch a 3‑2 victory at Anfield in Andoni Iraola's first game in charge. The Spanish coach, who took over the Reds just weeks ago, was unable to preserve the early dominance his side displayed, echoing a similar collapse against Leeds United in Chicago where Liverpool also led 2‑0 before conceding a 4‑2 loss. The opening half was sparked by a swift strike from Alexander Isak, who finished a slick move that began with a one‑two between Ryan Gravenberch and Dominik Szoboszlai on the edge of the box. Isak's finish curled into the bottom corner, giving the home crowd a glimpse of the attacking potential under Iraola.
Florian Wirtz added a second goal for Liverpool, finding space inside the six‑yard area after a chaotic scramble that followed a cross from Aaron Koumas and a header by Cody Gakpo. By the 29th minute Liverpool were cruising 2‑0 up and seemed on track to secure a comfortable win. However, the momentum shifted dramatically after the break. Iraola opted for a massive tactical reshuffle, introducing eleven changes to his starting eleven.
Among the fresh faces was new signing Victor Muñoz, who made his debut as a substitute and was greeted with a roar from the Anfield faithful. The manager's priority appeared to be giving his squad valuable minutes rather than protecting the lead, a decision that would prove costly. Monaco responded swiftly.
Aleksandr Golovin earned a penalty by slipping past Virgil van Dijk and being fouled inside the box. The spot‑kick was calmly dispatched by Golovin himself, sending the ball high into the net and pulling the visitors level at 2‑2.
Shortly thereafter, Mika Biereth capitalised on a rebound after his initial effort was saved by Liverpool keeper Alisson. The young striker slotted the ball home, giving Monaco a 3‑2 lead that they would hold onto until the final whistle.
The match featured several notable moments beyond the goals. At the 7th minute, Liverpool goalkeeper Jordan Pickford made a spectacular low dive to his left, denying a curling effort from Wirtz after a clever assist from Isak. Later, at the 70th minute, Monaco’s Coulibaly saw a header cleared by Alisson, only for the French keeper Mamardashvili to make a crucial save, keeping his side in the game. In addition to the on‑field drama, the friendly served as a showcase for returning World Cup veterans.
Van Dijk and Alisson both started, providing a sense of continuity amid the changes. Meanwhile, Monaco’s captain Eric Dier led his side, though high‑profile names such as Paul Pogba and Takumi Minamino were absent from the squad. Post‑match, Iraola reflected on the performance in a candid interview with LFCTV.
He likened the game to the recent defeat at Leeds, noting that Liverpool had a solid first half but lacked the stamina and intensity to sustain their level for the full 90 minutes. "We played well in the first half, but the energy dropped off. The senior players were at different levels, and the younger ones simply ran out of steam," he said.
He emphasized the need for more training sessions to build endurance and cohesion, while also acknowledging the positives that could be drawn from the encounter. Looking ahead, Iraola expressed optimism about the availability of new signings Jeremy Jacquet and Curtis Jones for the upcoming friendly against Como. He explained that Jacquet was being eased into the squad and should be ready for the next match, while Jones had a minor hip issue that warranted caution.
Veteran defender Virgil van Dijk also weighed in on the transition to the new management. He praised Iraola’s communication and assured the coach of his full support, stating, "I’m here for him, whatever he needs for the team." Van Dijk reflected on his time under former manager Arne Slot, acknowledging the disappointment of the previous season but welcoming the fresh ideas and training methods introduced by Iraola. Monaco midfielder Florian Wirtz offered his perspective on the new Liverpool boss, recalling the impact the former Bournemouth manager had on his own side and expressing eagerness to work with him. "The last three years at Bournemouth showed what he can achieve.
I’m looking forward to seeing how he shapes our team," Wirtz said. The friendly forms part of Liverpool’s busy pre‑season itinerary, which includes fixtures against Sunderland in Nashville, Wrexham in New York, Leeds in Chicago, and an upcoming match against Como at Anfield.
These games provide a platform for the manager to assess his squad, integrate new players, and fine‑tune tactics before the competitive season begins. Overall, the 3‑2 loss to Monaco highlighted both the promise and the growing pains of a Liverpool side in transition. While the early goals demonstrated attacking flair, the second‑half collapse underscored the need for greater fitness, tactical discipline, and depth—issues that Iraola and his staff will undoubtedly address in the weeks leading up to the Premier League campaign.