Soccer
Andoni Iraola insisted there is work to do for Liverpool after conceding he saw “a lot of negatives” from his team during their 3-2 defeat to Monaco on Sunday.
Iraola was taking charge of his first match in the Anfield dugout and watched his side get off to a flying start through goals from Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz.
Monaco pulled one back through Aleksandr Golovin’s penalty following a clumsy challenge from Virgil van Dijk, and the Ligue 1 team were the better side after the break.
The visitors drew level in the 56th minute when Mika Biereth tucked home, and Paris Brunner completed the comeback with a thumping header.
Liverpool’s display mirrored their defeat to Leeds United earlier in pre-season, having also gone ahead by two goals before going on to lose 4-2.
Iraola hinted that arrivals were needed at Anfield before the summer transfer window slams shut, saying he does not have much more at his disposal to deliver the high-octane, pressing football that proved so successful during his three-year stint with Bournemouth.
The Reds have been linked with Paris Saint-Germain duo Bradley Barcola and Ibrahim Mbaye of late, while Barcelona’s Ronald Araujo is expected to complete his season-long loan move early next week.
“It was quite similar to the game against Leeds,” Iraola told LFCTV. “We played a good first half, but we don’t have much more in terms of the level required to play like this.
“Then they were much better in the second half. In the same way, we were better in the first half, they were much better in the second half and deserved to turn around the game.
“[A lot of the senior players] were at different levels, but mostly they were in a good place. 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 have started to get tired and that will take time for them.
“We need more training with them, but we can take a lot of positives but also a lot of negatives. So, we have work to do.”
Andoni at Anfield pic.twitter.com/M1AJcuiKyY
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) August 9, 2026
Liverpool have now suffered back-to-back defeats, and their lack of squad depth in particular was on show against Monaco.
They welcomed back Van Dijk and Cody Gakpo for their first minutes since the World Cup, while summer signing Victor Munoz was also introduced just before the hour.
Iraola’s side finished with an expected goals (xG) total of 1.33 from their 15 shots compared to Monaco’s tally of 2.20 from one fewer attempt, with three defensive lapses leading to each of Monaco’s goals.
Van Dijk was at fault for Monaco’s first goal after conceding the penalty, but looking at the bigger picture, he said he had enjoyed his short time with Iraola thus far.
“It’s been absolutely fine,” Van Dijk said. “We had a great conversation in the first week when he got announced.
“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.
“Hopefully we’ll be successful this season. That’s what we want. 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.
“New staff, different training methods. But I liked working under Arne, and I’m sure I will like working under the new manager as well.”
Wirtz, who was Liverpool’s standout player, echoed Van Dijk’s thoughts on Iraola, and he is confident the Spaniard will make his mark at Anfield.
“The last three years he did at Bournemouth, you could see what he can do with the team,” Wirtz added.
“Of course, we are looking forward to working with him. The first couple of weeks, I can just say that I’m enjoying it.”
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