Liverpool will face Monaco in a pre-season friendly this Sunday at Anfield as head coach Andoni Iraola seeks a rebound after a 4-2 loss to Leeds United. The match marks a critical fitness test for returning stars Virgil van Dijk and Alisson Becker before the Premier League season begins August 23.
The mood surrounding the Reds is cautious. While the team showed early promise against Leeds, taking a 2-0 lead into the break, a series of second-half substitutions significantly weakened the squad, leading to four conceded goals. For Andoni Iraola, the match was the most informative one of pre-season so far.
Anfield Return: Squad Readiness and New Signings
Liverpool enters this fixture with a bolstered roster after the conclusion of their US tour. Key figures including Virgil van Dijk, Alisson Becker, and Cody Gakpo—who were omitted from the American trip—are expected to feature on Sunday.
The spotlight also falls on Victor Munoz. The new signing returned this week following the end of his World Cup break. His integration is vital as the club faces concerns regarding the replacement of key stars like Mohamed Salah before the campaign kicks off against Newcastle United.
However, the defensive line remains a puzzle. While Van Dijk is back, the club is still managing several absences. Giovanni Leoni is recovering from an ACL tear, and there are lingering fitness doubts regarding Jeremy Jacquet. If Jacquet is unavailable, Mor Talla Ndiaye is expected to partner Van Dijk in central defense. Other players remaining on the injury list include Hugo Ekitike, Conor Bradley, and Joe Gomez, who was injured early in a win against Sunderland in Nashville.
Monaco’s Tactical Approach under Filipe Luis
Monaco arrives at Anfield under the management of former Chelsea and Atletico Madrid defender Filipe Luis. The French side is looking to stabilize after a period of decline; they finished seventh last term, which is their second lowest placement since returning to the top flight in 2013-14.
The visitors have shown decent form this summer, recording two wins, one draw, and one loss across four friendlies, scoring eight goals and conceding six. They enter the weekend coming off a 1-0 victory against Getafe. Monaco’s primary objective is to avoid a third consecutive away loss and secure their second victory in six road clashes. A win on the weekend would give Luis’ side the edge in meetings with Liverpool, as the teams are currently level on one victory each.
Personnel shifts are evident for the visitors as well. Takumi Minamino has not yet recovered from a knee injury, meaning he cannot play against his former club. In his absence, the frontline is expected to feature Matthis Abline, Mathys Detourbet, and Mika Biereth. Additionally, midfielder Lamine Camara—who has been linked to a move to Liverpool this summer—is set to start for Monaco alongside Pape Cabral. Monaco will likely field a similar starting XI to the one that played against Getafe, with Eric Dier and Sadibou Sane candidates for the backline.
Predicted Lineups and Tactical Stakes
The tactical battle will likely center on whether Liverpool can resolve their defensive volatility. They have scored seven times in pre-season against Sunderland, Wrexham, and Leeds, but have conceded six. In their 18 most recent outings at Anfield, the hosts have lost only two, but were held to six stalemates and won only one of their final four fixtures in 2025-26.
| Team | Predicted Key Starters |
|---|---|
| Liverpool | Alisson; Scanlon, Ndiaye, Van Dijk, Kerkez; Nyoni, Szoboszlai; Munoz, Wirtz, Ngumoha; Isak |
| Monaco | Hradecky; Vanderson, Sane, Dier, Nazinho; Camara, Cabral; Abline, Golovin, Detourbet; Bieret |
For Liverpool, the match serves as a final high-profile test of the Iraola era’s early philosophy. After the sacking of Arne Slot following the 2025-26 season—where the club finished fifth with 60 points—supporters have expressed concern over Iraola’s lack of experience managing European competition.
The stakes for Monaco are more immediate. Their competitive season begins August 20 with the first leg of a playoff tie for a place in the Conference League, followed by their Ligue 1 opener against Le Havre three days later.
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