Andoni Iraola has admitted Liverpool "cannot sustain their level" after another collapse saw them fall to defeat against Monaco. The Reds let a two-goal lead slip for the second time in pre-season, losing 3-2 at Anfield in Iraola's first home game.
Adaptation phase
Liverpool are having to get to grips with life under Iraola, who was hired as Arne Slot's replacement, and it is taking time for the team to adapt to his methods. The ex-Bournemouth boss was renowned for his high-energy system whilst in charge of the Cherries.
The Reds are clearly in an adaptation phase, with the first warning signs on show during their loss to Leeds in the United States, where they let a two-goal lead slip and ended up losing 4-2.
Second collapse
On Sunday, their inability to last the course was again exposed as they squandered a two-goal lead against Monaco. Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz had scored in the first half, but the French side staged a fightback, and Paris Brunner capped their comeback in a five-goal thriller.
Iraola told LFC TV: "It was quite similar to the game we played against Leeds. We played a good first half, especially a good 30 minutes. Right now we probably don't have much more, in terms of the levels required to play like this. They deserved to turn around the game.
"We won the first two pre-season games, but the last two we cannot sustain the level we want for all of the game. As soon as we made some changes, players start to get tired and we cannot sustain that level. So, we have work to do."
Looking ahead
Liverpool finished fifth last term, a steep drop off from winning the league 12 months prior, which ultimately cost Slot his job. Iraola was tasked with making the Reds title challengers once more, but pre-season has showcased issues in getting his ideas across.
The Reds begin their campaign away at Newcastle before games against Nottingham Forest, Ipswich and Fulham. A return to Bournemouth faces Iraola in September.
Isak said on the new environment: "I feel like the spirit is good in the group and we're all working hard to make things work. We're going to make sure that we're ready for the start."
