Liverpool threw away another pre-season lead as Monaco came from behind to win 3-2 in Andoni Iraola’s first game in charge at Anfield.<\/p>\n
Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz put the Reds on track, but just like against Leeds last week in Chicago – when they were also two goals up and lost 4-2 – they were unable to kick on.<\/p>\n
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\n <\/div>\n Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz had put Liverpool 2-0 up in the first half
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Aleksandr Golovin’s penalty and Mika Biereth got Monaco back level, before Paris Brunner headed in a late winner.<\/p>\n
But minutes in the tank were clearly the priority for Iraola, who made 11 changes to his side in the second half, and handed a first Liverpool appearance for new signing Victor Munoz.<\/p>\n
Liverpool team news<\/h4>\n<\/p>\n
Several of Liverpool’s World Cup stars made their return. Virgil van Dijk and Alisson were among the starters. New signing Victor Munoz was on the bench.\n <\/p>\n
Eric Dier captained Monaco, while Paul Pogba and Takumi Minamino failed to make the squad.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
The key moments from Anfield…<\/h3>\n
7: GREAT SAVE! <\/strong>Hradecky called into action to deny Wirtz! He dives low to his left to keep out the German’s bending strike after good footwork from Isak to tee him up.<\/p>\n 16: GOAL!<\/strong> Isak off the mark at Anfield! A lovely move on the edge of the box as Gravenberch plays a one-two with Szoboszlai and then touches it into the path of the Swedish striker. He then turns and rolls it bottom corner.<\/p>\n 29: GOAL! <\/strong>Liverpool are cruising. A ball into the area from Koumas leads to an absolute scramble in the six-yard box after Gakpo heads it back into the melee. Wirtz then pokes in from two yards.<\/p>\n 43: PENALTY TO MONACO!<\/strong> Golovin charges into the box and steps past Van Dijk before being brought down just inside! The referee points to the spot…<\/p>\n 44: GOAL! <\/strong>Alisson goes the right way to his left, but Golovin’s penalty is too good for him, high into the net. Monaco have one back!<\/p>\n 56: GOAL! <\/strong>Monaco have levelled up! Biereth gets into the box and see his first effort saved by Mamardashvili. But it breaks back to the forward and he slots it home.<\/p>\n 61: SUB! <\/strong>Victor Munoz gets a huge cheer as his name is announced at Anfield for his first appearance as a substitute.<\/p>\n 70: BIG SAVE! <\/strong>Monaco are pushing to take the lead! They work it left and the ball comes into the box for Coulibaly to have a pop. He hits it lovely, but Mamardashvili gets his hands on it to push it away.<\/p>\n 88: GOAL! <\/strong>Lovely corner whipped in and Brunner rises at the near post to head in! Monaco have come from two goals down to take the lead at Anfield.<\/p>\n Liverpool <\/strong>boss Andoni Iraola<\/strong> on LFCTV<\/em>:<\/p>\n “It was quite similar to the game against Leeds.<\/p>\n “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.<\/p>\n “In the same way we were better in the first half, they were much better in the second half and they deserved to turn around the game. [A lot of the senior players] were at different levels but mostly they were in a good place.<\/p>\n “Even the ones playing their first or second game had energy. The problem is right now they probably don’t have the energy for 90 minutes. They started to get tired and that will take time for them.<\/p>\n “We need more training with them, but we can take a lot of positives but also a lot of negatives from today. “<\/p>\n Iraola also hopes to have new signing Jeremy Jacquet and Curtis Jones available for their friendly against Como next Sunday.<\/p>\n “With Jeremy we decided not to put him in today, but he should be fine for the next game,” he said. “He’s taken a little bit more time than we expected.<\/p>\n “Curtis has trained every day but yesterday he had some issues in his hip. It doesn’t look like anything big, but it didn’t make any sense to risk it.”<\/p>\n Virgil van Dijk<\/strong> <\/strong>played his first game under Iraola, and he has been speaking about what it’s been like working under the new Liverpool head coach so far.<\/p>\n “It’s been absolutely fine,” he said. “We had a great conversation in the first week when he got announced.<\/p>\n “The main thing for him to know, and obviously that’s what I told him, is that I’m here for him regardless of anything he needs. For me to do for the team or whatever, I’m here for him.<\/p>\n “Hopefully we’ll be successful this season, that’s what we want.<\/p>\n “Nothing to take away from Arne [Slot] and his staff. We had an amazing time together, obviously last year we were disappointed. This year we have a new manager, new ways of preparation, so we all have to adapt to it.<\/p>\n “New staff, different training methods. But I liked working under Arne, and I’m sure I would like working under the new manager as well.”<\/p>\n While midfielder Florian Wirtz <\/strong>added: “The last three years he did at Bournemouth, you could see what he can do with the team.<\/p>\n “Of course we are looking forward to working with him. The first couple of weeks, I can just say that I’m enjoying it.”<\/p>\n July 25: Liverpool 4-2 Sunderland <\/a>– Nashville<\/strong>Iraola: ‘We don’t have the energy for 90 minutes right now’<\/h3>\n
Van Dijk on Iraola: I’m here for whatever he needs<\/h3>\n
Liverpool’s pre-season so far…<\/a><\/h3>\n
July 30: Liverpool 1-0 Wrexham – New York<\/strong>
August 2: Liverpool 2-4 Leeds<\/a> – Chicago<\/strong>
August 9:<\/strong> Liverpool 2-3 Monaco – Anfield<\/strong>
August 16:<\/strong> Liverpool vs Como – Anfield, 6pm<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n