Liverpool manager Andoni Iraola has admitted his side "have work to do" after they blew a two-goal lead to lose 3-2 to Monaco at Anfield, the second successive pre-season friendly in which they have surrendered a two-goal advantage. The Spaniard's side had earlier lost 4-2 to Leeds in Chicago, and while Iraola described that defeat as a useful learning experience, he was more candid after the Monaco loss, saying his players could not sustain his required intensity for a full match. With the Premier League opener at Newcastle just two weeks away, the comments have raised questions over Liverpool's fitness and readiness for Iraola's high-pressing style.

Liverpool played well for roughly the first 30 minutes in both games before conceding heavily as changes were made, with Leeds scoring four unanswered goals in 25 minutes and Monaco netting three without reply in 44 minutes. Some players are still building fitness after post-World Cup breaks, while Conor Bradley, Hugo Ekitike and Giovanni Leoni remain sidelined; Barcelona's Ronald Araujo is close to joining on a season-long loan. Iraola, whose demanding training methods reportedly left one player feeling sick, previously took ten games to win his first match at Bournemouth, though that side went on to excel under his direct, high-turnover approach, suggesting patience may be required at Liverpool too.