Two consecutive losses! Liverpool suffer a 2-3 comeback defeat to Monaco, with defensive vulnerabilities and a surplus player crisis demanding urgent solutions

On the evening of August 9, Beijing time, Anfield Stadium witnessed a preseason friendly that left Liverpool fans with mixed emotions. In the home debut of new manager Iraola, the team took a 2-0 lead in the first half but then collapsed, conceding three goals in the second half, ultimately losing 2-3 to Monaco. Following a 2-4 loss to Leeds United earlier, Liverpool have now suffered two consecutive preseason defeats, both after leading by two goals, conceding a total of seven goals. This loss not only puts Iraola's tactical system under severe scrutiny but also exposes the fragility of the defense and the awkwardness of surplus players in the squad under the spotlight.

Hundred-million-euro forward line dazzles, but cannot mask the defensive "time bomb"

In the first 45 minutes, Liverpool fans glimpsed a bright picture of the new season's attack. The expensive new signing combination quickly developed chemistry. In the 16th minute, Gravenberch and Szoboszlai executed a clever one-two, and Isak controlled the ball, turned, and fired a low shot into the net. In the 29th minute, Gakpo headed the ball causing a scramble in the box, and Wirtz followed up to poke it home, extending the lead to 2-0. The two high-priced stars both scored in the first half, seemingly signaling initial success in Liverpool's forward rebuild.

However, the turning point came just before halftime. In the 44th minute, veteran Van Dijk recklessly brought down Golovin in the box, conceding a penalty, which Golovin himself converted. This goal not only allowed Monaco to go into the dressing room with hope but also laid the groundwork for the second-half collapse. In the second half, as Iraola made wholesale substitutions, Liverpool's defense completely lost control. In the 56th minute, Biereth capitalized on a defensive error to equalize with a rebound. In the 88th minute, Brenner sealed the comeback with a header. From fluid football to a dazed performance, Liverpool's defense in the second half was as fragile as paper.

Fans' fury ignites: fringe players become targets

If the defensive collapse was due to fatigue and lack of cohesion, the disastrous performances of some substitutes fully ignited the fans' anger. On social media, Chiesa, Elliott, and McConnell became the objects of fans' criticism. "Sell them, they're useless," "Do these substitutes even have Championship level?" "Chiesa and Elliott don't deserve to be in the squad anymore," and similar comments flooded in.

Objectively, these players have indeed struggled in this match and previous friendlies. Chiesa lacks sharpness in dribbling and cutting inside from the wing, Elliott often loses physical battles in midfield due to his physique disadvantage, and young players like McConnell appear overwhelmed under high-intensity challenges. When the team is in a difficult situation, these fringe players not only fail to provide immediate impact but become the weak point that opponents target. For a title-contending Liverpool, clearing out these surplus players who cannot adapt to the high-intensity tactical system is a decision that must be made before the transfer window closes.

Defensive crisis fully erupts: the old and the young

More fatal than the forward line concerns is Liverpool's current leaky defense. The collapse in this match is essentially a concentrated manifestation of insufficient defensive depth. Veteran Van Dijk was still solid in the first half, but after his fitness dropped in the second half, he could no longer hold the line alone. The young center-backs on the bench, whether Ndoukoue or Chambers, both lack experience and struggle physically when facing the attacks of a Ligue 1-level team.

At right-back, Bradley is still recovering from a serious injury, and Frimpong, while having some attacking drive, remains a defensive liability. At left-back, Tsimikas has seen his form decline, and the once-promising Leoni is still recovering from a cruciate ligament injury. As fans lamented, "Liverpool's defense is worrying—the old are too old, and the young can't step up." Iraola's high-pressing tactics demand wide coverage and strong individual defensive ability from the backline, but with the current defensive personnel, maintaining that intensity over 90 minutes is very difficult.

Conclusion: Time is running out for Iraola

Two preseason friendlies, the same script, the same collapse. The issues exposed in Liverpool's preseason—fitness limitations, tactical transition pains, and lack of squad depth—are far more than just a friendly loss. With less than two weeks until the Premier League opener away to Newcastle United on August 23, Iraola must use this final preparation period to quickly determine the core lineup, address the reinforcement of defensive midfield and center-back positions, and decisively clear out fringe players. The sighs at Anfield have already begun. If the Reds want to achieve something in the new season, the time left for them to correct mistakes is truly running out.

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