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Liverpool Coach Iraola Unhappy With Team's Performance After Pre-Season Loss

From Tempo · () Indonesian

Translated from Indonesian, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • Liverpool's head coach, Andoni Iraola, expressed disappointment with his team's performance after a 2-3 pre-season loss to AS Monaco.
  • Iraola cited players not being at peak physical fitness, including key figures like Virgil van Dijk and Cody Gakpo, as a reason for the team's struggles.
  • Despite the loss, Iraola enjoyed managing his first match at Anfield and looks ahead to Liverpool's final pre-season game before opening their season against Newcastle United.

Liverpool's pre-season preparations hit a snag as the team succumbed to a 2-3 defeat against AS Monaco at Anfield, leaving head coach Andoni Iraola dissatisfied with his squad's performance. Despite an early lead established by goals from Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz, Monaco staged a comeback with strikes from Aleksandr Golovin, Mika Biereth, and Paris Brunner.

I think 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.

— Andoni IraolaExpressing dissatisfaction with Liverpool's performance after the loss to AS Monaco.

Iraola attributed the loss to a lack of peak physical condition among several players. He specifically mentioned Virgil van Dijk and Cody Gakpo, who recently participated in the 2026 World Cup, as examples of players still regaining full fitness. "The problem is right now probably they don't have the energy for 90 minutes and they start to get tired. It will take time with them, we need more training with them," the former AFC Bournemouth manager stated.

He also provided updates on absent players, noting that Jeremy Jacquet was not fit enough to play, while Curtis Jones is managing a hip issue. Despite the team's struggles on the field, Iraola expressed happiness managing his first match at the iconic Anfield stadium, describing the experience as very positive.

The problem is right now probably they don't have the energy for 90 minutes and they start to get tired. It will take time with them, we need more training with them.

— Andoni IraolaExplaining the team's lack of fitness, particularly after key players returned from international duty.

Liverpool is set to play their final pre-season fixture against Como at Anfield before commencing their competitive season with an away match against Newcastle United at St. James' Park.

Everything went very well. We enjoyed it.

— Andoni IraolaCommenting on his experience managing his first match at Anfield.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Tempo in Indonesian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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