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

Liverpool's manager Andoni Iraola expressed concern over the team's ability to maintain their performance levels following a 3-2 friendly defeat to Monaco at Anfield. The club had previously suffered a 4-2 loss to Leeds United, which has raised doubts about their readiness for their upcoming Premier League opener against Newcastle United on August 23.

Iraola noted that while they played well in the first half, particularly during the first 30 minutes, they struggled to sustain the same level for the entire game. He emphasized that once changes were made, the players seemed to tire, indicating a need for additional training and time to develop. Captain Virgil van Dijk, goalkeeper Alisson Becker, and winger Cody Gakpo made their first appearances since the World Cup.

Iraola attributed the issue to the players' energy levels, stating that they lack the stamina to play a full 90 minutes. He acknowledged both positive and negative aspects of the match, while also cautioning that new signing Jeremy Jacquet, who had been dealing with shoulder and knee injuries, may require more time to fully integrate into the team.