Iraola's Liverpool debut at Anfield ends with loss to Monaco

Andoni Iraola’s first match at Anfield as Liverpool manager ended in a 3-2 friendly loss to Monaco on Sunday. This was the second week in a row that his team gave up a two-goal lead.

Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz put Liverpool ahead early. But just like last week in Chicago against Leeds, when Liverpool led 2-0 but lost 4-2, they could not hold their lead.

Aleksandr Golovin scored a penalty to equalize for Monaco. Then Mika Biereth scored to give Monaco the win with a late goal.

Iraola made 11 changes to his team in the second half. He also gave new signing Victor Munoz his first game for Liverpool.

“I think this was quite similar to the game we played against Leeds,” said the 44-year-old Spaniard Iraola.

“I think we played really good in the first half, especially the first 30 minutes. But right now, we probably don’t have much more in terms of the level required to play like this.

“Then they (Monaco) were much better in the second half. Just like we were better in the first half, 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 played their first matches since the World Cup.

“I think they were at different levels but mostly they were in a good place,” said Iraola about the returning players.

“I think the ones who had their first game or even the ones who had their second game had energy. The problem is right now, they probably 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 and also a lot of negatives from today.”

Liverpool will start their Premier League season away to Newcastle on August 23.