Player Ratings: Four 4/10’s as Liverpool are beat by AS Monaco

Liverpool Player Ratings vs AS Monaco as Reds Collapse in Iraola’s Anfield Debut

Liverpool surrendered a two goal advantage for the second successive match as AS Monaco recovered to win 3-2 at Anfield, leaving Andoni Iraola with plenty to consider following his first home appearance as head coach.

Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz had put Liverpool firmly in control, both delivering performances that suggested the attacking structure is beginning to take shape. Yet the defensive instability that surfaced against Leeds returned, with Monaco exploiting errors before completing an impressive turnaround.

For a pre season fixture, results only tell part of the story.

Isak and Wirtz Offer Liverpool Encouragement

Isak was excellent during his 45 minutes. His movement repeatedly unsettled the AS Monaco defence and his finish for Liverpool’s opener was outstanding, calmly converting after Ryan Gravenberch’s clever assist.

Wirtz was similarly influential. Given licence to operate closer to Isak, the German found spaces between Monaco’s midfield and defence and looked considerably more dangerous. His goal, following another lively attacking move, made it two goals in successive pre season matches.

Ifeanyi Ndukwe was arguably Liverpool’s most impressive individual performer. Starting alongside Virgil van Dijk at Anfield represented another significant examination of the youngster, and he handled it with remarkable composure.

Photo: IMAGO

Defensive Errors Change Contest

Liverpool appeared comfortable until Van Dijk unnecessarily challenged Aleksandr Golovin inside the penalty area shortly before half time.

Golovin converted the resulting penalty and suddenly Monaco had a route back into the game.

The second half created greater concern. Liverpool lost control through midfield, their defensive structure became stretched and Monaco began finding opportunities with increasing regularity.

Giorgi Mamardashvili will feel he could have done better when Mika Biereth scored, while Milos Kerkez was culpable at the corner that eventually produced Monaco’s winning goal.

Iraola will understand that substitutions inevitably disrupt rhythm during pre season, but conceding seven goals across matches against Leeds and AS Monaco is still something Liverpool must address before competitive football begins.

Liverpool Player Ratings vs AS Monaco

Starting XI

Substitutes

Manager