Liverpool Throw Away Two-Goal Lead Again as Monaco Stun Reds 3-2 in Iraola’s Anfield Bow
Photo: Courtesy.
By Robert Mutasi
Liverpool threw away another two-goal lead in pre-season as AS Monaco came from behind to win 3-2 at Anfield in Andoni Iraola’s first game in charge on Merseyside.
The Reds, who had also squandered a 2-0 advantage to lose 4-2 against Leeds United last week in Chicago, looked on course for victory after new signings Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz put them two goals up in the first half.
Isak, making his mark at Anfield, opened the scoring in the 16th minute after a neat exchange involving Ryan Gravenberch and Dominik Szoboszlai. The Swedish striker turned smartly on the edge of the box before rolling the ball into the bottom corner.
Liverpool doubled their lead in the 29th minute when a ball into the area from Lewis Koumas caused a scramble in the six-yard box. Cody Gakpo headed the ball back into the melee and Wirtz pounced from two yards to make it 2-0.
The home side had earlier been denied by Monaco goalkeeper Lukas Hradecky, who dived low to his left to keep out Wirtz’s bending effort after good work from Isak.
But the momentum shifted just before half-time. Aleksandr Golovin charged into the box and was brought down by Virgil van Dijk, with the referee pointing to the spot. Golovin stepped up to send Alisson the wrong way with a high penalty in the 44th minute to make it 2-1.
Monaco came out stronger after the break. Mika Biereth levelled in the 56th minute after his first effort was saved by Giorgi Mamardashvili, but the rebound fell kindly for him to slot home.
Iraola, who prioritized minutes in the tank, made 11 changes in the second half and handed a first Liverpool appearance to new signing Victor Munoz, who received a huge cheer from the Anfield crowd.
The visitors continued to push and were rewarded with a late winner in the 88th minute when Paris Brunner rose at the near post to head in a well-delivered corner.
Speaking after the game on LFCTV, Iraola said the performance was similar to the Leeds defeat and admitted his squad lacks the energy for 90 minutes at this stage of pre-season.
“It was quite similar to the game against Leeds. We played a good first half but we don’t have much more in terms of the level required to play like this. And then they were much better in the second half. They deserved to turn around the game,” Iraola said.
He added that many senior players returning from World Cup duty were at different fitness levels and will need more training time. He also confirmed that new signing Jeremy Jacquet and Curtis Jones, who missed the Monaco game with a hip issue, should be available for the friendly against Como next Sunday.
Virgil van Dijk, who played his first game under Iraola alongside Alisson, said he has had a positive start working with the former Bournemouth boss.
“The main thing for him to know is that I’m here for him regardless of anything he needs,” Van Dijk said. “Nothing to take away from Arne Slot and his staff. We had an amazing time together. This year we have a new manager, new ways of preparation, so we all have to adapt.”
Florian Wirtz added that he has enjoyed the first weeks under Iraola, referencing his impressive work at Bournemouth over the last three years.
Liverpool will look to end their pre-season on a high when they host Como at Anfield on August 16th.
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