Liverpool's Defensive Frailties Prove Costly
According to The Guardian Football, Liverpool's pre-season friendly campaign has hit a snag as they lost 3-2 to Monaco at Anfield. The Reds had taken a 2-0 lead in the first half but were unable to hold on as Monaco dominated the second half and scored three unanswered goals.
The scoreline was confirmed by The Guardian Football, with Liverpool's longstanding defensive frailties still to be eliminated. Andoni Iraola, the new Liverpool manager, was frustrated by his team's performance, stating that they have work to do after squandering a 2-0 lead.
Liverpool's team to face Monaco was strong, with Ifeanyi Ndukwe, 18, and Lewis Koumas, 20, the only fringe players to start. Jérémy Jacquet and Curtis Jones were not considered due to fitness doubts, with Iraola at pains not to "rush" the £50m signing from Rennes into action after a chequered time with injury.
The result will cause some concerns with transfer activity dragging its heels, but Iraola's team to face Monaco was strong, with Ifeanyi Ndukwe, 18, and Lewis Koumas, 20, the only fringe players to start. Only a double-header against Como – the first of which will be played behind closed doors – now remains before Iraola's competitive debut away at Newcastle on 23 August, with his home league debut coming against Nottingham Forest a week later.