Andoni Iraola’s first match at Anfield as Liverpool manager ended in a 3-2 defeat to Monaco on Sunday, with his side squandering a two-goal lead for the second pre-season game running.
Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz had Liverpool 2-0 up inside half an hour, mirroring last week’s collapse against Leeds in Chicago, when a similar lead evaporated into a 4-2 defeat.
Aleksandr Golovin’s penalty and a Mika Biereth finish dragged Monaco level before Paris Brunner headed in a late winner.
Iraola made 11 changes across the second half, handing new signing Victor Munoz his first Liverpool appearance.
“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,” he said. “Then they were much better in the second half, and they deserved to turn around the game.”
Captain Virgil van Dijk, goalkeeper Alisson Becker and winger Cody Gakpo all featured for the first time since the World Cup.
“It will take time with them, we need more training,” Iraola added. Liverpool open their Premier League campaign away to Newcastle on 23 August.
– AFP
Photo: Chris Brunskill/Fantasista/Getty Images
