Liverpool F.C. Suffered another pre-season setback as they let a two-goal lead slip against Monaco, prompting manager Andoni Iraola to admit the team 'cannot sustain their level'. The Reds, who finished fifth in the Premier League last season with 60 points (17W-9D-12L), are struggling to adapt to Iraola's high-energy system.
Liverpool took a 2-0 lead at Anfield through goals from Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz but collapsed in the second half, losing 3-2 to Monaco. It was Iraola's first home game in charge, and the French side staged a comeback with Paris Brunner scoring the winner.
This is the second time in pre-season that Liverpool have surrendered a two-goal lead, following a 4-2 loss to Leeds. Iraola, who replaced Arne Slot after the Reds finished 25 points behind league leaders Arsenal, admits his team lacks the stamina to maintain their intensity for 90 minutes.
Iraola told reporters: 'We played a good first half, especially a good 30 minutes. Right now we probably don't have much more, for the levels required to play like this. They deserved to turn around the game. We cannot sustain the level we want for all of the game.'
Liverpool begin their Premier League campaign away at Newcastle before facing Nottingham Forest, Ipswich and Fulham. Iraola will return to Bournemouth, where he previously managed, in September. Meanwhile, striker Alexander Isak says the squad is working hard to adapt to the new system.
