Iraola’s Assessment After Monaco Match
Liverpool head coach Andoni Iraola has expressed concerns about his squad’s ability to maintain a high level of play for an entire match, following a 3-2 loss to Monaco at Anfield. This marked Iraola’s first home match in charge, which saw a sell-out crowd and a sense of excitement for the new era. Despite a strong start, Liverpool surrendered a two-goal lead for the second consecutive pre-season game.
Iraola noted that the team played a good first half, particularly the initial 30 minutes, but suggested that the current squad might not possess the depth required to sustain that intensity. He stated, “We won the first two pre-season games, but the last two we cannot sustain the level we want for all of the game. As soon as we made some changes, players start to get tired and we cannot sustain that level. So, we have work to do.”
The match against Monaco saw Liverpool take an early lead, with Alexander Isak scoring in the 16th minute and Florian Wirtz adding a second. However, Monaco‘s Aleksandr Golovin converted a penalty just before half-time, and Mika Biereth equalised after the restart. The intensity of the game dropped in the second half as both teams made substitutions, with Monaco securing an 88th-minute winner through Paris Brunner from a corner kick.
Key Players and Squad Concerns
The game highlighted some defensive concerns for Liverpool, particularly at centre-back. Virgil van Dijk, who made his return alongside Alisson and Cody Gakpo after an extended post-World Cup break, started the match with 18-year-old Ifeanyi Ndukwe. While Ndukwe showed promise, work permit issues mean he will likely need to go on loan this season. The team finished the game with Luke Chambers and Wataru Endo playing at centre-back, underscoring the need for defensive reinforcements.
Ronald Araujo, 27, underwent his medical on Sunday, with his season-long loan move from Barcelona, which includes an option to buy for approximately £47.2m, nearing completion. Additionally, Jeremy Jacquet, 21, who joined from Rennes, has not yet participated in full training due to a shoulder injury sustained in February and a recent minor knee problem. Despite these setbacks, Liverpool are optimistic that Jacquet could feature in the upcoming matches against Como.
Iraola mentioned, “Jeremy Jacquet, we were in doubt whether to put him in. We decided not to, but he should be fine for the next one. It’s taking a bit more time than we were expecting.”
Attacking Partnership Shows Promise
Despite the defeat, the performances of Florian Wirtz and Alexander Isak provided a positive outlook for the season. The two players, who were acquired for a combined fee of £225m last summer, combined effectively throughout the match. Wirtz operated in a number 10 role behind Isak, who scored the opening goal with a right-footed finish.
Wirtz was noted as Liverpool’s best player on the pitch and contributed significantly to the team’s attacking play, having also scored against Leeds in Chicago the previous weekend. Isak expressed his satisfaction with the team’s spirit and hard work, stating, “I feel like the spirit is good in the group and we’re all working hard to make things work. We’re going to make sure that we’re ready for the start.”
Victor Munoz, a new signing, made his first appearance at Anfield as a substitute, receiving a positive reception from the crowd. The 23-year-old forward, who was part of the Spain squad that won the World Cup, joined the team at the start of the week after cutting his holiday short. He displayed promising moments, including using his speed to deliver a cross. Lewis Koumas, 20, and Ifeanyi Ndukwe, 18, also featured in the starting lineup, having made strong impressions during the US tour.
Liverpool has two remaining pre-season games, a double-header against Como on 16 August, before their Premier League season commences with an away fixture against Newcastle.
Source: bbc.com