Iraola says Liverpool have work to do as familiar frailties in defence prove costly

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Andoni Iraola told his new Liverpool team they have work to do after squandering a 2-0 lead against Monaco to lose a second successive pre-season friendly.The former Bournemouth coach last managed a game at Anfield almost exactly a year ago in the memorable opener to the 2025-26 Premier League season, a game the Cherries were unfortunate to lose 4-2. It became clear Liverpool’s longstanding defensive frailties are still to be eliminated.Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz scored in the first half as the hosts exhibited some free-flowing football, but Monaco dominated a second half that became fragmented as Iraola and Monaco’s Felipe Luis made wholesale changes.“As soon as we have made some changes they start to get tired, we cannot sustain that level, so we have work to do,” Iraola told LFCTV on Liverpool’s “frustrating” regression after a bright start.

Isak’s opener on 16 minutes was met with a hearty cheer from the home faithful, perhaps not surprising given it was just the fourth time the Anfield crowd have been able to celebrate an Isak goal, competitive or otherwise.Andoni Iraola was disappointed after watching Liverpool slip to a second successive friendly defeat. Koumas and Wirtz both squandered presentable chances, but it was soon 2-0 when the German forced home after a goalmouth scramble.Iraola cut a relaxed figure on the touchline throughout and was content with his side’s attacking fluidity.

The Italian did appear after 74 minutes along with Harvey Elliott, who was welcomed warmly back to Anfield after his nightmare on loan at Aston VillaMonaco carved out the better chances in the search for the next goal, with Flávio Nazinho firing wide, and Oumar Konate failing to seize on a good through ball, before their 88th-minute winner stemmed from a corner swung in from the left, which Paris Brunner met with a sweet header.There was no Anfield roar to push the hosts on to equalise as there would have been in a competitive match, and Liverpool’s side resembled a reserves squad by the end, but it was still a tame finish nonetheless. Only a double-header against Como – the first of which will be played behind closed doors – now remains before Iraola’s competitive debut away at Newcastle on 23 August, with his home league debut coming against Nottingham Forest a week later.