Liverpool saw another pre‑season advantage slip away when Monaco rallied from a two‑goal deficit to clinch a 3‑2 victory at Anfield, marking Andoni Iraola's inaugural match in charge of the Reds. The game began brightly for Liverpool, with Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz delivering early strikes that put the home side ahead. Yet, much like the previous encounter against Leeds in Chicago – where Liverpool also led by two goals only to lose 4‑2 – the team struggled to maintain momentum and see out the win. After Isak's opening goal, a well‑crafted move involving Ryan Gravenberch and Dominik Szoboszlai set up the Swedish striker, who calmly slotted the ball into the bottom corner.
The early dominance continued when a cross from Mattia Koumas created a chaotic scramble in the six‑yard box, and Florian Wirtz pounced to make it 2‑0. At this point, the atmosphere at Anfield was electric, with fans confident of a comfortable victory. However, Monaco's response was swift and disciplined. Aleksandr Golovin earned a penalty by charging into the box and drawing a foul on Virgil van Dijk.
The spot‑kick was expertly taken, sending the ball high into the net and reducing the deficit to 2‑1. The momentum began to shift as the French side pressed higher, and Mika Biereth, making his debut for Monaco, found the net shortly after, equalising at 2‑2.
The equaliser came after his initial effort was saved by Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson, only for the rebound to fall kindly to Biereth, who finished confidently. In the second half, Iraira opted for a massive tactical overhaul, introducing eleven fresh legs.
Among the changes was the debut of new signing Victor Muñoz, who entered the match as a substitute and received an enthusiastic cheer from the Anfield crowd. The manager's priority appeared to be giving his squad valuable minutes rather than simply protecting the lead, a decision that arguably contributed to the eventual turnaround. Monaco seized the decisive moment in the 88th minute when Paris Brunner rose to meet a well‑delivered corner, heading the ball past Alisson at the near post to put the visitors ahead 3‑2. The late winner completed a remarkable comeback and left Liverpool supporters stunned as the final whistle blew.
The match also featured a number of notable returns and absences. World Cup veterans Virgil van Dijk and Alisson were back in the starting XI, providing experience at the back and between the sticks. Meanwhile, Monaco's captain Eric Dier led his side, but high‑profile names such as Paul Pogba and Takumi Minamino were omitted from the squad, highlighting the experimental nature of the friendly. Key moments were highlighted throughout the broadcast: a spectacular save by Liverpool's goalkeeper Yann Sommer (referred to as Hradecky in the commentary) denied Wirtz's curling effort, and a series of set‑piece actions kept the tempo high.
The game also served as a platform for younger players like Victor Muñoz to showcase their potential, with his substitution drawing a roar from the home fans. Post‑match, Iraola addressed the media on LFCTV, drawing parallels with the Leeds friendly. He acknowledged that Liverpool had a solid first half but lacked the stamina and consistency required for a full 90‑minute performance. "We played a good first half but we don't have much more in terms of the level required to play like this.
They were much better in the second half and deserved to turn the game around," he said. Iraola emphasized the need for more training to build endurance, noting that many senior players were at varying fitness levels and that the squad would improve with time. 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 back into action, while Jones had a minor hip issue that warranted caution.
Van Dijk, playing his first match under Iraola, reflected positively on the transition. He praised the open communication with the new manager and highlighted his commitment to supporting Iraola in any capacity. "It's been absolutely fine. I had a great conversation in the first week when he was announced.
I'm here for him regardless of what he needs," Van Dijk remarked, adding that the club's new training methods and staff would require adaptation but expressed confidence in future success. Monaco midfielder Florian Wirtz also shared his perspective, noting the impact of the new manager's previous work at Bournemouth and expressing enthusiasm for the collaboration ahead. "The last three years he did at Bournemouth, you could see what he can do with the team.
Of course we are looking forward to working with him," he said. The fixture schedule for Liverpool's pre‑season tour continues with matches against Como on August 16 at Anfield, following earlier friendlies that saw mixed results: a 4‑2 win over Sunderland in Nashville, a 1‑0 victory against Wrexham in New York, a 2‑4 loss to Leeds in Chicago, and the recent 2‑3 defeat to Monaco. Fans can stay updated through Sky Sports highlights, the Sky Sports app, and the club's social media channels, including WhatsApp for the latest news, videos, and analysis.
Overall, the encounter served as a learning experience for Iraola and his squad, highlighting both the potential of new signings and the areas that require improvement, particularly fitness and game management over a full match duration. The comeback by Monaco underscored the importance of concentration until the final whistle, a lesson that Liverpool will undoubtedly take into their forthcoming fixtures as they aim to build cohesion and resilience under their new leadership.