Liverpool 2-3 AS Monaco: Five key takeaways from pre-season friendly

The Reds let slip a two-goal lead to lose 3-2.

Liverpool took on AS Monaco in a feisty pre-season friendly fixture at Anfield on Sunday, August 9. The French side mounted an incredible comeback in the second half, coming from two goals down to secure a 3-2 victory.

Alexander Isak opened the scoring for the Reds in the 16th minute. It was a brilliant goal from the Swede, who received an accurate pass in the box. He took a brilliant first touch, and then fired it into the bottom right corner beyond the reach of the goalkeeper.

Florian Wirtz doubled the lead just before the half-hour mark, bundling the ball into the back of the net after a scramble in the box. This goal put the Reds in control of the match. But Monaco cut down the lead just before half-time when Aleksandr Golovin scored from the penalty area after a foul by Virgil van Dijk.

The French side found the equaliser in the 56th minute, with Mika Biereth beating Alisson with a fine finish. The Red and Whites looked the one more likely to score the winner, and the pressure bore fruit in the 88th minute. Paris Brunner headed in the winner to secure a brilliant comeback for the visitors.

Thank you for your support this afternoon 👏 pic.twitter.com/iPUBfIXeS7

— Liverpool FC (@LFC) August 9, 2026

Also Read: Why did Alexis Mac Allister & Hugo Ekitike miss Liverpool vs AS Monaco pre-season friendly?

Important things we learned from Liverpool vs AS Monaco:

1. Alexander Isak back among goals

To say that Alexander Isak’s world-record transfer to Anfield has not gone perfectly is an understatement. The Swede last scored for the Reds in a Premier League match against Crystal Palace in April, marking his fourth goal for his new side. Isak will be happy to have opened the scoring tonight.

Even though it was a friendly, the striker will get some confidence from having found the back of the net.

2. Soft penalty against home side

Even though the Reds dominated the first half, Monaco found a road back after being awarded a penalty just before half-time. Virgil van Dijk was the guilty party, fouling Aleksandr Golovin in the box. It looked like a soft call from the referee, but Golovin converted the chance from 12 yards out.

3. Ndukwe shines for the Reds

Austrian defender Ifeanyi Ndukwe, who joined the Reds from Austria Wien, was a bright spark alongside Van Dijk in the heart of defence. The 18-year-old played the first half, winning all three of his tackles and making two recoveries. He is certainly one to watch out for in the future.

4. Man of the match performance from Wirtz

Florian Wirtz is a player who had often looked short on confidence in his debut season with the home side, with the massive price tag evidently weighing on him. However, the German midfielder looked brilliant tonight, putting in a man-of-the-match performance before being substituted just before the hour mark. He scored the second goal and created a big chance, controlling the tempo of the game.

5. Monaco mount a comeback

The Reds dominated most of the clash, but the visitors made a comeback in the second half. After Golovin’s penalty reduced the lead to one goal, Mika Biereth scored the equaliser just before the hour mark after a period of dominance for his side. Paris Brunner’s late goal sealed Liverpool’s defeat on the night.

Andoni Iraola would certainly be worried about how quickly his side let their lead slip.

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