Let me start with a question: How many times can a team be handed a two-goal lead in a pre-season friendly and still lose? Liverpool fans are probably asking themselves that after watching their side crumble against Monaco at Anfield. It’s not just about the result—it’s about the pattern. This isn’t the first time Jurgen Klopp’s former players have squandered dominance in these early games, but under Andoni Iraola, the narrative feels different. Iraola, the former Real Sociedad manager, is now tasked with reshaping Liverpool’s identity. Yet, watching his debut game, one thing becomes clear: the Reds are still struggling to find their rhythm. What makes this particularly fascinating is how Iraola’s approach seems to be more about experimentation than immediate results. He made 11 changes in the second half, handing debuts to new signings and giving minutes to players who’ve been sidelined by injuries. But is this a sign of wisdom or a desperate attempt to juggle too many variables at once? Personally, I think it’s both. The energy levels were clearly a concern for Iraola, who admitted his squad ‘doesn’t have the energy for 90 minutes.’ That’s a bold admission from a manager, but it’s also a reality check. When you have a squad with World Cup stars and young talents, the balance between testing players and preserving them is razor-thin. Iraola’s decision to rest key figures like Mohamed Salah and Darwin Núñez might have been tactical, but it also highlights the uncertainty around his long-term plans. What many people don’t realize is that pre-season isn’t just about fitness—it’s about chemistry. And right now, Liverpool’s chemistry feels like a work in progress. Take the goal from Paris Brunner, the late winner for Monaco. It wasn’t just a moment of brilliance; it was a reminder that even in friendly matches, the margin for error is razor-thin. Iraola’s team looked sharp in the first half, with Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz scoring clinical goals. But the second half told a different story. Monaco’s intensity, fueled by their own pre-season ambitions, exposed gaps in Liverpool’s structure. One thing that immediately stands out is how quickly the momentum shifted. It’s not just about individual mistakes—it’s about collective fatigue and the psychological weight of expectations. Iraola’s comments about the team’s energy levels ring true, but they also raise a deeper question: Are we seeing the early signs of a manager trying to rebuild a culture, or is this just another chapter in Liverpool’s long history of pre-season collapses? A detail that I find especially interesting is the role of new signings. Victor Munoz, the first-time Liverpool player, got a standing ovation from the crowd. But will his impact be more than symbolic? Iraola’s insistence on integrating fresh faces so quickly might backfire if the squad isn’t cohesive yet. The bigger picture here is the transition from Arne Slot to Iraola. Van Dijk’s comments about supporting the new manager are reassuring, but they also hint at the tension that comes with change. Slot’s methods were already under scrutiny last season, and Iraola now has the unenviable task of resetting expectations. What this really suggests is that Liverpool’s rebuild isn’t just about tactics—it’s about trust. Players need to believe in Iraola’s vision, and fans need to accept that pre-season results might not reflect the team’s true potential. The upcoming game against Como will be crucial. If Iraola can get his squad to gel, maybe the late collapses will stop. But if not, the whispers about his suitability for the job will grow louder. In the end, this match isn’t just about Monaco or a missed opportunity—it’s about the fragile hope that a new era at Anfield might finally deliver something different. The question is: Will Iraola’s patience pay off, or is this just another pre-season footnote in a club that’s always been more about the long game than the short-term wins?
