Liverpool Suffers Defeat to AS Monaco, Receives Four 4/10 Player Ratings

Liverpool Loses 3-2 to AS Monaco in Iraola’s Home Debut

Liverpool lost a two-goal advantage for the second consecutive match, as AS Monaco staged a comeback to secure a 3-2 victory at Anfield. This result leaves head coach Andoni Iraola with much to analyze following his first home game.

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With goals from Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz, Liverpool initially appeared in control, showcasing signs of developing attacking fluidity. However, defensive vulnerabilities resurfaced, mirroring previous struggles. Monaco capitalized on these mistakes to complete a remarkable turnaround.

Preseason results are only part of the narrative.

Isak and Wirtz Shine for Liverpool

Isak delivered an impressive 45-minute performance. His movement consistently troubled the AS Monaco defense, exemplified by his superb opener, which he finished skillfully after a clever assist from Ryan Gravenberch.

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Wirtz also made a significant impact, effectively operating close to Isak, and exploiting gaps between Monaco’s midfield and defense. He scored his second goal in as many preseason matches following an energetic attacking move.

Ifeanyi Ndukwe stood out as arguably Liverpool’s top individual performer. Partnering with Virgil van Dijk, he demonstrated poise and maturity during a challenging examination at Anfield.

Photo: IMAGO

Defensive Errors Shift Momentum

Liverpool seemed in command until Van Dijk’s unnecessary challenge on Aleksandr Golovin in the penalty area just before halftime resulted in a penalty, which Golovin converted, providing Monaco with a lifeline.

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The second half raised greater concerns for Liverpool. The team struggled to maintain midfield control, resulting in an exposed defense, which allowed Monaco to capitalize on several scoring opportunities.

Giorgi Mamardashvili might reflect on a missed chance to better handle Mika Biereth’s goal, while Milos Kerkez played a role in the corner that led to Monaco’s decisive goal.

Iraola is aware that substitutions can disrupt rhythm in preseason, yet conceding seven goals in matches against Leeds and AS Monaco signifies a pressing issue for Liverpool to resolve ahead of official competitions.

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Liverpool Player Ratings vs AS Monaco

Starting XI

• Alisson Becker, 7: Did well under pressure and had little chance on Golovin’s penalty.

• Jeremie Frimpong, 6: Showed promising pace early but faded in influence later.

• Ifeanyi Ndukwe, 9: Demonstrated remarkable composure and potentially belongs at this level.

• Virgil van Dijk, 5: Generally stable until an unnecessary penalty was conceded.

• Kostas Tsimikas, 4: Struggled with crosses and had several notable lapses.

• Dominik Szoboszlai, 6: Linked well in the opener but was generally quiet afterwards.

• Ryan Gravenberch, 7: Improved after a slow start, delivering a great assist for Isak.

• Florian Wirtz, 8: Creative and intelligent, becoming a real threat near goal.

• Lewis Koumas, 7: Another confident display, particularly in attacks from the right.

• Alexander Isak, 8: Showed sharp movement, effective link play, and scored brilliantly.

• Cody Gakpo, 5: Missed a key early chance and found it hard to threaten Monaco consistently.

Substitutes

• Giorgi Mamardashvili, 4: Made some saves but could have done better on Monaco’s equalizer.

• Wataru Endo, 5: Competitive and solid, although occasionally left exposed.

• Luke Chambers, 4: Faced challenges in the second half and made a notably dangerous error.

• Milos Kerkez, 4: Struggled to make an impact and was involved in the decisive goal for Monaco.

• Trey Nyoni, 5: Failed to replicate his earlier strong preseason performances.

• James McConnell, 5: Found it tough to assert control amid Monaco’s midfield dominance.

• Rio Ngumoha, 6: Became Liverpool’s most lively attacker in the second half.

• Victor Munoz, 6: Delivered an exciting moment but had limited opportunities to impact the game.

Manager

• Andoni Iraola, 6: Observed positive attacking efforts from his first-choice lineup, yet Liverpool again faltered after establishing a two-goal lead. Prioritizing defensive organization and game management is crucial moving forward.

Liverpool Player Ratings vs AS Monaco as Reds Collapse in Iraola’s Anfield Debut

Liverpool surrendered a two goal advantage for the second successive match as AS Monaco recovered to win 3-2 at Anfield, leaving Andoni Iraola with plenty to consider following his first home appearance as head coach.

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Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz had put Liverpool firmly in control, both delivering performances that suggested the attacking structure is beginning to take shape. Yet the defensive instability that surfaced against Leeds returned, with Monaco exploiting errors before completing an impressive turnaround.

For a pre season fixture, results only tell part of the story.

Isak and Wirtz Offer Liverpool Encouragement

Isak was excellent during his 45 minutes. His movement repeatedly unsettled the AS Monaco defence and his finish for Liverpool’s opener was outstanding, calmly converting after Ryan Gravenberch’s clever assist.

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Wirtz was similarly influential. Given licence to operate closer to Isak, the German found spaces between Monaco’s midfield and defence and looked considerably more dangerous. His goal, following another lively attacking move, made it two goals in successive pre season matches.

Ifeanyi Ndukwe was arguably Liverpool’s most impressive individual performer. Starting alongside Virgil van Dijk at Anfield represented another significant examination of the youngster, and he handled it with remarkable composure.

Photo: IMAGO

Defensive Errors Change Contest

Liverpool appeared comfortable until Van Dijk unnecessarily challenged Aleksandr Golovin inside the penalty area shortly before half time.

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Golovin converted the resulting penalty and suddenly Monaco had a route back into the game.

The second half created greater concern. Liverpool lost control through midfield, their defensive structure became stretched and Monaco began finding opportunities with increasing regularity.

Giorgi Mamardashvili will feel he could have done better when Mika Biereth scored, while Milos Kerkez was culpable at the corner that eventually produced Monaco’s winning goal.

Iraola will understand that substitutions inevitably disrupt rhythm during pre season, but conceding seven goals across matches against Leeds and AS Monaco is still something Liverpool must address before competitive football begins.

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Liverpool Player Ratings vs AS Monaco

Starting XI

• Alisson Becker, 7: Comfortable when tested and unfortunate not to reach Golovin’s penalty.

• Jeremie Frimpong, 6: Showed his pace early but had limited influence afterwards.

• Ifeanyi Ndukwe, 9: Outstanding composure and another performance suggesting he belongs at this level.

• Virgil van Dijk, 5: Generally secure until an unnecessary challenge gifted Monaco their penalty.

• Kostas Tsimikas, 4: Wasteful crossing and several loose moments in possession.

• Dominik Szoboszlai, 6: Combined neatly in Liverpool’s opener but remained relatively quiet.

• Ryan Gravenberch, 7: Improved after a slow beginning and produced a superb assist for Isak.

• Florian Wirtz, 8: Creative, intelligent and increasingly dangerous when deployed closer to goal.

• Lewis Koumas, 7: Another confident pre season display, especially when attacking from the right.

• Alexander Isak, 8: Sharp movement, excellent link play and a superbly taken goal.

• Cody Gakpo, 5: Missed an early opportunity and struggled to consistently threaten Monaco.

Substitutes

• Giorgi Mamardashvili, 4: Made saves but should have handled Monaco’s equaliser better.

• Wataru Endo, 5: Competitive and dependable despite occasionally becoming exposed.

• Luke Chambers, 4: Endured a difficult second half and made one particularly dangerous mistake.

• Milos Kerkez, 4: Struggled to influence proceedings and was involved in Monaco’s winner.

• Trey Nyoni, 5: Unable to reproduce his stronger performances from earlier in pre season.

• James McConnell, 5: Found it difficult to establish control as Monaco dominated midfield.

• Rio Ngumoha, 6: Liverpool’s liveliest second half attacker and carried genuine threat.

• Victor Munoz, 6: Produced one exciting burst but received limited opportunities to influence the game.

Manager

• Andoni Iraola, 6: Saw encouraging attacking patterns from his strongest selection, but Liverpool again lost control after taking a two goal lead. Defensive organisation and game management remain immediate priorities.