Headline: Liverpool Faces Setback Against Monaco in Pre-Season Friendly
Liverpool suffered a 3-2 defeat to Monaco at Anfield, despite initially taking a two-goal lead. The team started strong, showcasing impressive play until fatigue set in, leading to a disappointing conclusion. While pre-season results do not determine the outcome of the upcoming season, they can reveal critical patterns, particularly regarding player fitness, as noted by head coach Andoni Iraola.
For the first half hour, Liverpool appeared sharp, with goals from Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz providing a 2-0 advantage. The team demonstrated fluid attacking play and effective pressing, projecting an easy afternoon ahead. However, as the game progressed, their performance declined. Monaco capitalized on a penalty before halftime, equalized shortly after the break, and completed the comeback with a near-post header from Paris Brunner late in the match.
In his post-match comments, Iraola acknowledged the parallels to a prior match against Leeds, indicating that Liverpool performed well in the first half but struggled to maintain that intensity for the full 90 minutes. He emphasized Monaco’s superior performance in the second half and admitted that they deserved to turn the game around.
Iraola identified fitness as a significant issue for the team, noting that while some senior players are still working on their fitness levels, it affects overall performance. He remarked, “The ones that it was their first game, or even the ones that it was their second game, had energy. The problem is right now probably they don’t have the energy for 90 minutes.”
This lack of sustained intensity proved pivotal as Liverpool demonstrated their ability to perform well in bursts, but the inconsistency raises concerns that need addressing swiftly. Iraola’s tactical style relies on running, aggression, and structure, so any lapse in these areas can lead to negative outcomes on the field.
Updates on player absences provided some clarity. Jeremy Jacquet was close to returning but was not included in the squad, while Curtis Jones is recovering from a minor hip issue, with both players expected to be available soon.
Iraola recognized the need for ongoing training and fitness improvement for the squad. After four friendlies, he expressed confidence in his assessment of the team. He acknowledged the need to raise the fitness levels to sustain high-quality play throughout the match.
The reaction from the crowd also played a vital role, particularly for a new coach experiencing his first game at Anfield. Iraola noted the strong support during Liverpool’s dominant first-half display, contrasting it with the frustration of the second half where they could not meet the crowd’s expectations.
Ultimately, the match against Monaco served as both a learning experience and a warning for Liverpool. While there were encouraging signs in their early play, the team’s inability to maintain performance levels raises important questions as they move forward into the season.
Liverpool lost 3-2 to Monaco at Anfield and the headline is obvious enough. They were two goals up, playing well, then faded badly and conceded three. Pre-season results do not define a season, but patterns matter, and Andoni Iraola was direct enough afterwards to point to the one that matters most right now, fitness.
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For half an hour, Liverpool looked sharp. Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz gave them a 2-0 lead and there was fluency to the attack, energy in the press and enough control to suggest a comfortable afternoon. Then the level dropped. Monaco got one back from the penalty spot before half-time, equalised soon after the break and completed the turnaround late on when Paris Brunner glanced in a near-post header from a corner.
Iraola did not dress it up when speaking after the game. “I think quite similar to the game we played against Leeds. I think we played really good [in the] first half, especially the first 30 minutes, but right now probably we don’t have much more in terms of the level required to play like this. Then they were much better in the second half, in the same way were better in the first half they were much better in the second half, and they deserved to turn around the game, yes.”
Liverpool fitness levels exposed against Monaco
That is the key point from this Monaco defeat. Liverpool can hit the right intensity in bursts, but they cannot hold it. In pre-season, that is common enough. It also needs fixing quickly. Iraola’s game asks for running, aggression and structure. If one of those drops, the whole thing starts to wobble.
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He made clear that some senior players are still building up, which explains part of the drop-off. “I think they were in different levels but mostly they were in a good place. I think the ones that it was their first game, or even the ones that it was their second game, they had energy. The problem is right now probably they don’t have the energy for 90 minutes and they start to get tired. 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.”
Photo: IMAGO
That is blunt and accurate. Liverpool have enough quality to look good early, but if the legs go, spaces open, duels are lost and games turn. That is exactly what happened at Anfield.
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There was also an update on two absentees. Jeremy Jacquet was close, Curtis Jones less so, though neither issue appears serious. Iraola said: “Jeremy Jacquet, 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 of time, as we expected. Curtis [Jones], he has trained every day but yesterday finished with issues in the hip. It doesn’t look anything big but it didn’t make any sense to risk and those are the ones, more or less, closer to a return.”
That is sensible management. There is no point forcing minutes in July and August if it costs weeks later.
Anfield reaction and what Liverpool need next
After four friendlies, Iraola knows where his squad stands. “I think we are, right now, especially considering we won the first two games but the last two, we cannot sustain the level that we want for all the game. As soon as we have made some changes they start to get tired, we cannot sustain that level, so we have work to do.”
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Again, no drama, no spin, just the obvious truth. Liverpool have ideas, they have quality and they have enough in the first phase of games to trouble teams. What they do not yet have is the physical base to keep doing it for 90 minutes.
The crowd response mattered too, particularly for a new head coach taking charge at Anfield for the first time. Iraola said: “Yeah, lovely, lovely – especially in the first half when we were pushing and everything was going so well, we were enjoying it. The second half has been harsh because when they are expecting you to go and you are not able, and you cannot give them what we wanted, it is frustrating, yes.”
That sums it up neatly. Good for 30 minutes, second best after that. Liverpool v Monaco offered encouragement and a warning. Right now, the warning carries more weight.
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