Liverpool suffered a bitter defeat in Iraola's first match at Anfield.

(Football results) - Liverpool raced to a two-goal advantage early on but ultimately fell 2-3 to AS Monaco in a friendly at Anfield on August 9th.

Liverpool entered the friendly against AS Monaco with a strong lineup. Alisson Becker, Virgil van Dijk, and Cody Gakpo made their summer debuts, alongside Alexander Isak, Florian Wirtz, Dominik Szoboszlai, and Ryan Gravenberch. It was also Andoni Iraola's first game at Anfield since taking over as manager.

The home side started energetically, applying early pressure. After Wirtz forced a save from Lukas Hradecky, Liverpool opened the scoring in the 16th minute. Gravenberch combined with Szoboszlai outside the box and then played the ball to Isak. The Swedish striker controlled it neatly before firing a low shot past the Monaco goalkeeper.

In the 29th minute, the lead was doubled. Lewis Koumas crossed for Gakpo to head, creating a scramble in the visitors' area. Wirtz arrived at the right moment and quickly stabbed the ball home from close range, making it 2-0.

However, Liverpool could not maintain their advantage. In the 44th minute, Van Dijk fouled Aleksandr Golovin in the box. The Russian midfielder himself converted the penalty, reducing the deficit to 2-1 just before halftime.

AS Monaco continued to press in the second half and found an equalizer in the 56th minute. Giorgi Mamardashvili saved Mika Biereth's first shot, but the visiting striker pounced on the rebound and finished successfully.

Iraola then made a series of substitutions, giving debutant Victor Munoz a chance to play. However, Liverpool could not regain control of the game. Mamardashvili was forced into a series of saves, denying Mamadou Coulibaly and other Monaco players.

Drama struck in the 88th minute when Paris Brunner headed home from a corner, securing a 3-2 victory for the Ligue 1 side. Liverpool thus ended their return to Anfield with a disappointing defeat, despite having held a huge advantage. Iraola's team will complete their summer friendly program with two matches against Como on August 16th.