Andoni Iraola has delivered a telling verdict on his squad’s ability to see out matches after relinquishing back-to-back pre-season leads.
While pre-season results are negligible, in two consecutive warm-up friendlies Liverpool have surrendered a two-goal lead and gone on to lose, against Leeds and then Monaco.
Both saw Iraola make changes to his team after half-time as he managed the minutes of his returning senior players, with the drop-off a telling indication of the squad’s current needs.
Currently, the Reds lack the stamina required to sustain Iraola’s high-intensity style for a full 90 minutes, due to both fitness and the lack of squad depth.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Saturday, August 8, 2026: Liverpool's head coach Andoni Iraola after a pre-season friendly match between Liverpool FC and AS Monaco FC at Anfield. Liverpool lost 3-2. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Saturday, August 8, 2026: Liverpool's head coach Andoni Iraola after a pre-season friendly match between Liverpool FC and AS Monaco FC at Anfield. Liverpool lost 3-2. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
His message to LFCTV after the defeat to Monaco was perhaps pointed as he awaits further reinforcements to his squad after previously emphasising how thin his options are.
On his assessment of Sunday’s match, he said: “I think quite similar to the game we played against Leeds. I think we played really good [in the] first half, especially the first 30 minutes.
“But right now probably 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 were better in the first half they were much better in the second half, and they deserved to turn around the game, yes.”
As for his verdict on the squad after four pre-season games, he added: “I think we are, right now, especially considering we won the first two games, but the last two, we cannot sustain the level that we want for all the game.
“As soon as we have made some changes, they start to get tired. We cannot sustain that level, so we have work to do.”
Liverpool’s squad depth remains a concern
Iraola’s words reflect the struggles of senior players returning late for training due to the World Cup and the current lack of incomings in the transfer window.
Liverpool have a fortnight to prepare the squad to perform beyond the first 30-45 minutes, but that can and must be aided by reinforcements.
The current lack of squad depth is a concern, and while Ronald Araujo will add experience and versatility to defence, the Reds still have holes in their squad.
Bradley Barcola and Ibrahim Mbaye are being targeted for the wings, but right-back will remain a concern as will midfield depth if Curtis Jones leaves for Inter Milan.
For a club that were reigning Premier League champions a year ago and followed it up with a transfer spend of £447.2 million last summer, the squad planning is in a precarious position.
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Football – Pre-Season – Liverpool USA Tour Day 3
CHICAGO, USA - Wednesday, July 22, 2026: Liverpool's Curtis Jones departs the team hotel for an afternoon training session in Chicago ahead of the start of the club's pre-season tour of America. The team play friendly games in Nashville, New York and Chicago as they prepare for the start of the new 2026/27 Premier League season. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Football – Pre-Season – Liverpool FC v Leeds United FC
CHICAGO, USA - Sunday, August 2, 2026: Liverpool's Jeremy Jacquet before a pre-season friendly match between Liverpool FC and Leeds United at Soldier Field. Leeds won 4-2. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)