Liverpool can't keep letting levels drop, says Iraola after Monaco defeat

Liverpool manager Andoni Iraola voiced concerns about his team's fluctuating performance levels following a disappointing 3-2 friendly defeat against Monaco at Anfield. This loss marked the second consecutive match where Liverpool surrendered a two-goal advantage, echoing their earlier 4-2 defeat to Leeds United. The recurring issue has cast a shadow over the team's preparedness for their upcoming Premier League opener against Newcastle United on August 23.

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We played really good (in the) first half, especially the first 30 minutes, but right now probably we don't have much more in terms of the level required to play like this.

"We played really good (in the) first half, especially the first 30 minutes, but right now probably we don't have much more in terms of the level required to play like this," Iraola stated in an interview with the club's TV channel. He elaborated that while the team secured victories in their initial two games, their recent performances show an inability to sustain the desired level of play throughout the entire match. The manager noted that as substitutions were made, players began to tire, highlighting a lack of sustained energy.

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We won the first two games but the last two, we cannot sustain the level that we want for all the game. As soon as we have made some changes they start to get tired, we cannot sustain that level, so we have work to do.

Several key players, including captain Virgil van Dijk, goalkeeper Alisson Becker, and winger Cody Gakpo, were making their first appearances since the World Cup. Iraola acknowledged that these players might lack the necessary energy for a full 90 minutes. "It will take time with them, we need more training with them," he said, while also emphasizing that the team could draw positives alongside the negatives from the Monaco match.

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The problem is right now probably they don't have the energy for 90 minutes and they start to get tired.

Iraola also provided an update on new signing Jeremy Jacquet, who has been dealing with a knee issue after a previous shoulder injury. The defender was not included in the squad against Monaco as a precautionary measure but is expected to be available for the next game. The manager indicated that Jacquet's recovery is taking slightly longer than anticipated.

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It is taking a little bit more time than we expected.