Liverpool’s Anfield Opener Ends in Thrilling 3-2 Defeat to Monaco: Key Takeaways

• by Shimanta Das
• August 10, 2026

In a pulsating encounter at Anfield, Andoni Iraola’s first match in charge of Liverpool ended in a 3-2 defeat to Monaco, despite the Reds racing into a two-goal lead. The match, which was part of the summer preparations, saw Liverpool’s new-look side showcase both attacking flair and defensive vulnerabilities. Alexander Isak and the brilliant Florian Wirtz put the home side in command, but Monaco’s resilience, capped by a late winner from Paris Brunner, turned the game on its head.

The Reds were boosted by the return of Alisson, Virgil van Dijk, and Cody Gakpo to the starting XI, their first appearances since the World Cup. However, it was Monaco who grew into the game after the initial setback. Mamardashvili was called into action, parrying away Mamadou Coulibaly’s powerful hit, while Oumar Konate drilled a low attempt wide. Despite these scares, Liverpool maintained control, with Gakpo teeing up Wirtz for a blocked shot and Kostas Tsimikas curling a distance effort agonizingly wide, preserving the two-goal cushion at that stage.

Monaco’s comeback was sparked by a long-range effort from Matthis Abline following Aleksandr Golovin’s setup, but it was their late surge that sealed the win. The defeat highlights areas for improvement, particularly in game management, but there were positives. Cody Gakpo’s encouraging performance suggests he could be a key asset, and the club’s ongoing pursuit of Paris Saint-Germain’s Bradley Barcola indicates they are still looking to bolster their attack before the September 1 deadline. Iraola can begin to feel he has a variety of options at his disposal.

One notable storyline was the positioning of Koumas, who moved to the No. 9 role in the second half. He is expected to remain at Liverpool for the next few weeks before a decision on his future. As the summer window enters its final days, Liverpool fans will be eager to see how Iraola shapes the squad, but this thrilling encounter offered a glimpse of the excitement and challenges ahead.