Liverpool manager Andoni Iraola has voiced significant concerns regarding his team’s inability to sustain high performance levels after they surrendered a two-goal lead to lose 3-2 against Monaco in a friendly match at Anfield on Sunday. This result marks the second consecutive game in which the Reds have failed to protect a comfortable advantage, following a 4-2 defeat to Leeds United in Chicago earlier this month. These recurring lapses have raised alarms regarding the squad’s readiness for their upcoming Premier League opener against Newcastle United, scheduled for August 23.
The match began promisingly for Liverpool, with Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz finding the back of the net to establish an early lead. However, the momentum shifted as Monaco fought back, with Aleksandr Golovin converting a penalty and Mika Biereth equalizing before Paris Brunner secured a late winning goal. Reflecting on the collapse, the 44-year-old Spanish manager noted, “I think (this was) quite similar to the game we played against Leeds.”
Iraola, who took charge in June following the dismissal of Arne Slot, acknowledged that while the team showed quality during the opening 30 minutes, they currently lack the physical stamina required for a full 90-minute display. “The problem is right now probably they don’t have the energy for 90 minutes and they start to get tired,” Iraola explained. He added that while the team won their first two preseason matches, they have struggled to maintain the necessary intensity in their most recent outings, noting that the squad has significant work to do before the competitive season begins.
The match saw the return of key figures including captain Virgil van Dijk, goalkeeper Alisson Becker, and winger Cody Gakpo, all of whom were making their first appearances since the World Cup. In a tactical shift during the second half, Iraola made 11 changes to his side, which provided an opportunity for new signing Victor Munoz to make his debut for the club. Despite the rotation, the manager admitted that the team’s cohesion suffered as fatigue set in, allowing Monaco to dominate the latter stages of the game.
Addressing the broader physical state of his squad, Iraola emphasized that the players require more training time to reach the desired fitness levels. “It will take time with them, we need more training with them. But we can take a lot of positives, but also a lot of negatives from today,” he stated. The manager remains focused on balancing the integration of returning stars with the need to build a consistent tactical identity that can withstand the rigors of a full match.
The club is also exercising caution regarding new signing Jeremy Jacquet, who has been sidelined by a shoulder injury sustained in February and more recent knee complications. Although there was hope he might feature against Monaco, the coaching staff opted to keep him out of the squad as a precaution. “We were in doubt whether to put him in the squad today, we decided not but he should be fine for the next one. It is taking a little bit more time than we expected,” Iraola concluded.
Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz put the Reds ahead, but like against Leeds last week in Chicago — when Liverpool were two goals up but lost 4-2 — they were unable to preserve their lead.
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