Liverpool saw a comfortable two‑goal cushion evaporate once more in a pre‑season friendly, as Monaco rallied from behind to claim a 3‑2 victory at Anfield in Andoni Iraola's inaugural match in charge. The early dominance was sparked by Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz, who each found the net to put the Reds ahead, but the team soon found itself in familiar territory – a pattern reminiscent of the previous week’s 4‑2 loss to Leeds in Chicago, where Liverpool also led by two before the opposition turned the tide. The first half unfolded with Liverpool pressing high and creating several clear chances.
Isak opened the scoring in the 16th minute after a slick one‑two between Ryan Gravenberch and Dominik Szoboszlai, slipping the ball into the Swedish striker’s path. He calmly slotted the ball into the bottom corner, giving the home side an early boost.
Monaco responded almost immediately, with a chaotic scramble in the six‑yard box after a Koumas delivery. Florian Wirtz, arriving late into the melee, poked the ball home from two yards out, narrowing the deficit to 1‑1. The Reds continued to dominate possession and, in the 29th minute, a well‑timed run by Cody Gakpo saw him head the ball back into the box where Wirtz finished the move, restoring Liverpool’s two‑goal lead at 2‑0. At this point, the atmosphere at Anfield was electric, and the fans seemed convinced that the result was already decided.
However, the second half saw a dramatic shift in momentum. Iraola, clearly using the match as a training ground, made eleven changes at the interval, introducing a host of fresh legs and giving debutant Victor Muñoz his first appearance for the club.
The new signings and returning World Cup veterans, including Virgil van Dijk and Alisson Becker, were on the field, but the energy levels began to dip as the game progressed. Monaco seized the opportunity.
Aleksandr Golovin drove into the box, out‑muscling Van Dijk before being brought down just inside the area, earning a penalty. In the 43rd minute, Golovin calmly converted from the spot, sending the ball high into the net and reducing the deficit to 2‑1. The goal injected belief into the visitors and forced Liverpool to reassess their tactical approach.
Just a minute later, Alisson made a fine save, diving low to his left to deny a curling strike from Wirtz, but the respite was short‑lived. At the 56th minute, Mika Biereth found space in the Monaco box, saw his initial effort saved by Liverpool’s goalkeeper, but the rebound fell to him again, and he slotted the ball home to level the scores at 2‑2. The match entered its final stages with both sides pushing for a winner.
In the 70th minute, Monaco’s Coulibaly headed a cross toward goal, only to see Liverpool’s backup keeper Mamardashvili push the ball away with a decisive fingertip save. The tension built until the 88th minute, when a well‑delivered corner found Paris Brunner, who rose at the near post and headed the ball home, giving Monaco a 3‑2 lead with only minutes remaining. The final whistle confirmed a disappointing night for Liverpool, who had squandered a two‑goal advantage for the second consecutive pre‑season encounter. Iraola’s post‑match comments reflected a measured assessment.
He likened the performance to the Leeds game, noting that the team displayed quality in the first half but lacked the stamina and concentration to maintain that level for the full 90 minutes. He praised the energy of the newer players but admitted that they still need time to build the endurance required for a full match.
Iraola also highlighted the need for further training sessions to improve cohesion and mentioned that new signings Jeremy Jacquet and Curtis Jones would likely be available for the upcoming friendly against Como. Jacquet missed today’s game due to a slightly longer recovery period than anticipated, while Jones suffered a minor hip issue that, although not serious, warranted precaution. Veteran defender Virgil van Dijk, who made his first appearance under Iraola, spoke positively about the transition. He emphasized his support for the new manager and expressed optimism about the season ahead, acknowledging the differences in training methods compared to his former boss Arne Slot.
Similarly, Monaco midfielder Florian Wirtz praised Iraola’s impact, recalling his successful stint at Bournemouth and expressing enthusiasm for the collaboration. The match also served as a showcase for several returning World Cup stars, with Van Dijk and Alisson among the starters, while Monaco’s captain Eric Dier led his side, though notable absences included Paul Pogba and Takumi Minamino, who were not part of the squad.
Looking ahead, Liverpool’s pre‑season schedule remains packed, with fixtures against Sunderland in Nashville, Wrexham in New York, Leeds in Chicago, and the upcoming clash with Como at Anfield. These games will provide further opportunities for Iraola to fine‑tune his squad, assess the fitness of new arrivals, and embed his tactical philosophy before the competitive season begins. Overall, the 3‑2 defeat underscores the challenges of integrating a new manager, managing player rotation, and building the physical resilience needed for a full campaign. While the loss is a setback, the experience offers valuable lessons that could prove instrumental in shaping Liverpool’s approach for the upcoming season.