Liverpool lost 3-2 against AS Monaco with Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz among the scorers. This is what we spotted as Andoni Iraola took charge at Anfield for the first time.
Florian Wirtz celebrates after scoring for Liverpool against AS Monaco.
Florian Wirtz celebrates after scoring for Liverpool against AS Monaco.(Image: Naomi Baker/Getty Images)
ANFIELD, LIVERPOOL // Andoni Iraola took charge of Liverpool at Anfield for the first time, but his side lost 3-2 against AS Monaco despite being two goals up in the first half.
Within a quarter of an hour, Alexander Isak had coolly put Liverpool ahead when the ball landed at his feet inside the penalty area. Florian Wirtz, by the half-hour mark, had scrambled a second over the line from close range, but Alexandr Golovin pulled one back when Virgil van Dijk gave away a penalty.
Mika Biereth leveled things up in the second half just after Giorgi Mamardashvili had made a strong save, and then Paris Brunner scored the winner late on. Here are the five things Liverpool.com spotted as the game unfolded.
Andoni Iraola's new surroundings
Iraola has been at Anfield several times, of course. He came with Bournemouth, though never won, and this was his first experience of the home dugout.
The Spaniard, replacing Arne Slot at the end of a difficult season, has been tasked with implementing a more intense style of play. Really, though, his main priority has to be ensuring that results improve.
Liverpool crept into the Champions League spots last term, but underperformed substantially compared to expectations. The early signs in pre-season have been positive, even amid two second-half collapses in a row.
He still has more work to do on the training field, but his style is at least more exciting. Next, the task is ensuring that translates into consistenct performances when the proper stuff begins.
Liverpool head coach Andoni Iraola.
Liverpool head coach Andoni Iraola.(Image: Jan Kruger/Getty Images)
Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz impress
Isak, in particular, finding the back of the net was certainly a boost (this was just the third time that he had done so at Anfield since arriving from Newcastle). He and Wirtz showed a few signs of linking up as well.
There is much more to come from the pair, but they are clearly the main attacking hope right now, with a breakthrough in the negotiations for Bradley Barcola yet to arrive, and Mohamed Salah now in Turkiye.
Keeping them fit and ensuring that Isak is scoring and Wirtz is creating regularly could instantly add 10 to 20 points to the tally that Liverpool managed last season.
The intensity at Newcastle in a fortnight will be the opposite end of the spectrum to this, but Iraola's two main forwards getting off the mark this summer can only be a good thing.
Ifeanyi Ndukwe stars again
Van Dijk giving away a penalty will not be a concern — if anything, getting the rust out now is exactly the point of these games — and alongside him at the back, Ifeanyi Ndukwe was very impressive.
It is not a solution in the immediate term, of course. Liverpool cannot use Ndukwe next term because he does not have a work permit, but in the years that follow, that will change, with a loan move beckoning for now.
Here, Ndukwe was tidy in possession and calm when the AS Monaco attackers were running at him. He's huge and not afraid to put a foot in, with strong timing. All the ingredients are there, even if he only got 45 minutes under his belt.
Ifeanyi Ndukwe in action for Liverpool.
Ifeanyi Ndukwe in action for Liverpool.(Image: Daniel Bartel/Getty Images)
Victor Munoz debut excites
In a summer that has yielded little movement yet in terms of incomings, the first glimpse of Victor Munoz was a welcome one.
He ticks plenty of boxes that were missing last season: pace, directness, and dribbling ability. The Spaniard appears to be someone who will get fans off their seats, which is always welcome.
Some of his crosses only found a group of bodies in the middle of the pitch but he did at least beat his marker with ease beforehand. As a first introduction to Anfield, this was promising. Once again, there is much more to come.
Next steps and transfer needs clear
Though there are still players to return from injury, the lack of squad depth was evident. On the bench, the only real attacking options were Munoz and Rio Ngumoha, who would have started ahead of Lewis Koumas had this game been a competitive one.
Curtis Jones was missing with a minor issue and there are several stars currently sidelined, including Giovanni Leoni and Jeremy Jacquet, neither of whom featured here, and Hugo Ekitike, who limped around pre-match to some applause, but Iraola's roster is down to bare bones. More additions are required.
Liverpool knows that, though. That is why Barcola is being targeted, and Ibrahim Mbaye is under consideration. On the field, the work appears to be heading in the right direction, which is Iraola's side of the bargain.
While there was another defeat after a second-half turnaround here, it came when plenty of names were on the field who won't be in a couple of weeks' time at Newcastle.