A superb first-half showing from Liverpool disintegrated in the final third of a breathless Anfield friendly as Monaco came from two goals down to beat Andoni Iraolas side 3-2, with Paris Brunners 88th-minute header completing a stunning second-half comeback. Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz had given Liverpool a 2-0 lead inside half an hour on their first appearance together at Anfield. An Aleksandr Golovin penalty in first-half stoppage time gave Monaco hope, and when Mika Biereth levelled with a composed finish in the 56th minute.When Brunner met Anis Soubeirs delivery from a corner in the 88th minute and powered a header into the net, the game was Monacos.Table of ContentsIsak and Wirtz deliverBiereth and Brunner complete the comebackIsak and Wirtz deliver Liverpool could not have started more brightly. Isak broke the deadlock in the 16th minute when Ryan Gravenberch carved open the visiting defensive shape with a weighted through ball and the striker, dropping his shoulder onto his right foot, drilled a low finish into the bottom left corner.Thirteen minutes later, Wirtz, operating in the number ten position behind Isak with Cody Gakpo and Lewis Koumas either side, collected possession on the edge of the area and drove a first-time finish through the Monaco defence to make it 2-0.Biereth and Brunner complete the comebackMonacos leveller arrived on the hour when Biereth, composed in the centre of the box after a slick move through Liverpools post-interval defensive shape, slid a right-footed finish down the middle of the goal before Mamardashvili could set himself. The Georgian was perhaps harshly exposed on a day when Liverpools restructured back line still showed signs of needing time to bed in Ifeanyi Ndukwe, deputising at centre-back alongside Virgil van Dijk with Giovanni Leoni still sidelined through injury, was not the only one caught short as Monaco found their rhythm.Brunner provided the final twist in a manner that Monacos early-season pre-season form had already suggested they were capable of. Soubeirs delivery from the right corner of the box was angled perfectly into the six-yard area and the substitute, who arrived only minutes earlier, timed his run to meet it with a clean, powerful header that gave Mamardashvili no chance.Liverpool went close to levelling in the closing minutes, Dominik Szoboszlais long-range drive was pushed over and Gakpos late header was straight at Monacos goalkeeper.Liverpools next pre-season fixture is away at Crystal Palace on August 12. Topics AS Monaco FC Liverpool F.C. Add us as a preferred source on Google If you enjoy reading this article, you can help support our independent football journalism by adding 101 Great Goals as a preferred source You Should Also Read Liverpool vs Monaco: Confirmed line-ups as Iraola takes charge at Anfield for first time 101 GreatGoals 9th August, 2026 Liverpool v Monaco: Expected line-ups, preview, stats and where to watch as Iraola makes Anfield bow Jon Fisher 8th August, 2026 Liverpool agree to sign Barcelona defender Araujo on loan Mitch Fretton 7th August, 2026 Mohamed Salah: Trabzonspor seal Liverpool icon on free transfer Jon Fisher 6th August, 2026 BREAKING: Salah in talks to sign for Trabzonspor Tom Rostance 4th August, 2026 August in the Premier League: Five key fixtures to watch Tom Rostance 4th August, 2026
