Liverpool beaten by Monaco in pre-season friendly at Anfield
Liverpool beaten by Monaco in pre-season friendly at Anfield as the Reds suffered a 3-2 defeat against AS Monaco in their latest summer test at Anfield.
The result marked Andoni Iraola’s first match in charge of Liverpool at their home ground, and although there were encouraging signs during the opening stages, the Reds ultimately allowed their two-goal advantage to disappear.
Liverpool looked in control after Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz put the hosts 2-0 ahead before the half-hour mark. However, Monaco responded before half-time and continued to grow into the contest after the break.
Aleksandr Golovin converted a penalty before Mika Biereth equalised in the second half. Paris Brunner then completed Monaco’s comeback with an 88th-minute winner.
Liverpool make impressive start
Liverpool began the pre-season friendly with plenty of attacking intent, with Iraola’s players showing some of the movement and combination play expected from the new manager.
Wirtz was among the first players to threaten as he forced Monaco goalkeeper Lukas Hradecky into a save. The German attacking midfielder continued to find pockets of space as Liverpool looked to establish control.
The opening goal arrived after a sharp attacking move involving Ryan Gravenberch and Dominik Szoboszlai.
Gravenberch combined with Szoboszlai around the edge of the penalty area before finding Isak. The striker took a composed touch and produced a clinical low finish to give Liverpool the lead.
The goal provided an early reward for Liverpool’s positive approach and gave the Anfield crowd plenty to celebrate.
Lewis Koumas was also heavily involved in the hosts’ attacking play. The young forward worked hard on the right side and looked willing to take responsibility in possession.
Wirtz doubles Liverpool’s advantage
Liverpool continued to apply pressure and soon found a second goal.
This time, Koumas and Cody Gakpo combined effectively. Koumas delivered the ball towards the back post, where Gakpo arrived to meet it with a downward header.
The header created confusion inside the Monaco penalty area, and Wirtz reacted quickly to poke the loose ball into the net from close range.
At 2-0, Liverpool appeared to be heading towards a comfortable victory.
However, Monaco refused to allow the game to slip away.
The Ligue 1 side began creating more opportunities and eventually found a route back into the contest just before half-time.
Monaco respond before the break
The turning point came when Virgil van Dijk was penalised for a foul on Aleksandr Golovin inside the Liverpool penalty area.
Golovin took responsibility from the spot and calmly converted the penalty to reduce Monaco’s deficit to 2-1.
The goal changed the momentum heading into half-time.
Liverpool had controlled large parts of the opening period, but Monaco suddenly had renewed belief. The visitors entered the second half knowing that another goal would put them level.
For Iraola, the challenge was to ensure his team regained control after the interval.
Monaco complete the comeback
Liverpool were unable to prevent Monaco from finding an equaliser 10 minutes into the second half.
Mika Biereth initially saw his effort saved by Giorgi Mamardashvili. However, the Monaco forward reacted quickly to collect the rebound before slotting the ball into the net.
The score was now 2-2, despite Liverpool having established a two-goal advantage earlier in the match.
Iraola responded by making six substitutions around the hour mark as he looked to give other players valuable pre-season minutes.
Summer signing Victor Munoz was among those introduced, making his non-competitive debut for Liverpool.
The changes altered the rhythm of the game, but Monaco appeared increasingly dangerous as the match progressed.
Paris Brunner seals Monaco victory
While Liverpool had dominated the early stages, the visitors became the more threatening side during the latter part of the contest.
Mamardashvili was forced into action again when he parried away a powerful effort from Mamadou Coulibaly.
Monaco continued to push forward, while Oumar Konate also came close when he sent a low attempt narrowly wide.
Liverpool struggled to regain the control they had shown in the opening half.
The decisive moment arrived in the 88th minute.
Paris Brunner met a late Monaco corner and glanced his header beyond the Liverpool defence to complete a dramatic comeback.
The 3-2 victory gave Monaco plenty of confidence while leaving Liverpool to reflect on a match they had appeared to have under control.
Andoni Iraola learns from Liverpool defeat
The defeat will not necessarily be viewed as a major setback for Iraola, given that Liverpool are still in the middle of their preparations for the new campaign.
The match provided the new manager with an opportunity to assess his players in a competitive environment at Anfield.
There were encouraging attacking performances, particularly from Isak, Wirtz, Koumas and Gakpo.
Liverpool’s ability to create chances and move the ball quickly was evident during the first half. The combination between Gravenberch and Szoboszlai for the opening goal was one of the clearest examples.
However, the defensive side of the performance will give Iraola more to consider.
Allowing a 2-0 lead to disappear highlighted areas that Liverpool will need to improve before the competitive season begins.
The return of Alisson Becker, Gakpo and Van Dijk also provided important minutes as the squad continues to build match fitness.
Wataru Endo’s return from injury was another positive development, while Munoz gained valuable experience following his introduction.
Liverpool prepare for final friendlies
The defeat against Monaco was Liverpool’s latest test during their summer preparations.
Despite the loss, the Reds will have opportunities to work on their weaknesses before competitive fixtures begin.
Liverpool’s summer programme concludes next weekend with a double-header against Como 1907.
Those matches will provide Iraola with further opportunities to test different combinations, assess his squad and refine his tactical approach.
The manager will also be hoping to have more key players available as the start of the season approaches.
YOU MAY LIKE:
Man City impressed in a 3-1 friendly win over Atletico Madrid
What the Monaco defeat means
The Liverpool defeat demonstrated both the potential and vulnerabilities of Iraola’s new team.
The Reds showed enough attacking quality to score twice inside the opening 30 minutes, but their inability to protect the lead will be the main concern.
For Monaco, the comeback was an important result and demonstrated their ability to remain competitive despite falling two goals behind.
Paris Brunner’s late winner was the perfect conclusion for the visitors, while Biereth and Golovin also played crucial roles in the comeback.
For Liverpool, the priority will now be turning the lessons from the pre-season friendly into improvements before the competitive campaign begins.
Liverpool beaten by Monaco in pre-season friendly at Anfield is therefore a result that will attract attention, but Iraola will be more interested in how his players respond during their remaining preparations.
The Reds have shown promising attacking qualities, but the next step will be developing the consistency and defensive organisation required to turn promising performances into victories.
With the final pre-season fixtures approaching, Iraola still has time to make adjustments and ensure Liverpool are better prepared for the challenges ahead.
References from mainstream media
- Reuters — Liverpool can’t keep letting levels drop, says Iraola after Monaco defeat
Reuters reports on Liverpool’s 3-2 defeat to Monaco, Andoni Iraola’s reaction and concerns about the team’s fitness and consistency. Reuters report - The Guardian — Iraola says Liverpool have work to do after Monaco defeat
The Guardian covers Liverpool’s 3-2 loss at Anfield, the early 2-0 lead, Monaco’s comeback and Paris Brunner’s late winner. The Guardian report - Sky Sports — Liverpool vs Monaco
Sky Sports provides the fixture details and match information for Liverpool’s pre-season meeting with Monaco at Anfield. Sky Sports match page
Support Independent Journalism with eKayNews! 📰✨
At eKayNews, we are dedicated to bringing you honest, independent, and reliable news. But we can’t do it alone—independent journalism relies on the strength and generosity of its community.
If you value our work, please consider supporting us today! You can help keep us going by choosing a subscription or simply buying us a one-off virtual coffee:
👉 Support us here: ekaynews.co.za/subscribe-form/
You can also support our mission by visiting our main site at www.ekaynews.co.za and following @eKayNews on all social media platforms.
Thank you so much for your incredible generosity and for being part of our journey! 🙏💙
