Liverpool vs. Monaco: Your Complete Guide to Sunday’s Preseason Friendly at Anfield

What’s Happening?

Liverpool are back home at Anfield this Sunday for a preseason friendly against French side Monaco. Think of this like a dress rehearsal before the real season starts—teams use these games to try out new tactics, give playing time to youngsters, and build fitness.

The big story: This is Andoni Iraola’s first home game as Liverpool’s new manager. He’s only been in charge for three games so far (two wins and one loss), and the Anfield crowd will be watching closely to see what his team looks like on their home turf.

Match Details at a Glance

Why This Game Matters

Important Point: Preseason games don’t count for trophies or league points, but they tell us A LOT about how a new manager wants his team to play.

For Liverpool:

• First impressions at home: Iraola wants to "win over the Anfield faithful" with intensity and attacking football
• Bounce-back test: They lost 4-2 to Leeds last time out after leading 2-0 at halftime—a "calamitous second half"
• Defensive questions: The backline has looked shaky all summer with many young/inexperienced players

For Monaco:

• New era: Playing without star player Maghnes Akliouche (who just joined PSG)
• Manager Filipe Luís is still figuring out his best team (2 wins, 1 loss, 1 draw so far)
• Good test: Beat Getafe 1-0 in their last game

How Both Teams Have Looked So Far

Liverpool’s Preseason Rollercoaster

1. Beat Sunderland – Good start
2. Beat Wrexham – Building confidence
3. Lost 4-2 to Leeds – Led 2-0 at halftime, collapsed in second half

The pattern: Exciting attack, leaky defense. Iraola’s "high-pressing, offense-first approach" looks fun but risky.

Monaco’s Mixed Bag

1. 5-2 win vs AS Saint-Priest (huge win)
2. Loss to Sporting CP
3. Draw with Cercle Brugge
4. 1-0 win vs Getafe (Paris Brunner penalty)

Who’s In, Who’s Out (The Injury Report)

Liverpool’s Missing Players

Long-term injuries:

• Wataru Endō
• Conor Bradley
• Giovanni Leoni
• Stefan Bajčetić
• Hugo Ekitiké

Recent setback:

• Joe Gomez (hurt in the Sunderland win)

Still on vacation:

• Alexis Mac Allister (World Cup final with Argentina)

Liverpool’s Returning Stars

Back from World Cup breaks:

• Alisson (goalkeeper)
• Virgil van Dijk (captain/defender)
• Cody Gakpo (forward)

New signing ready to go:

• Victor Muñoz

Youngsters Who Might Play

Keep an eye on these academy kids:

• Ifeanyi Ndukwe
• Luke Chambers
• Lewis Koumas
• Trey Nyoni (described as "impressive")
• Jérémy Jacquet (could make unofficial debut)

Monaco’s Absentees

• Maghnes Akliouche – Left for PSG (this might actually help Liverpool sign PSG players!)
• Takumi Minamino – ACL tear (former Liverpool player, no reunion)
• Mohammed Salisu – ACL tear (former Southampton defender)

Monaco’s New Faces

Summer signings who could feature:

• Mathys Detourbet
• Sadibou Sané
• Flávio Nazinho
• Matthis Abline

Predicted Lineups (Best Guesses)

Liverpool (4-2-3-1 Formation)

Formation explainer: 4 defenders, 2 defensive midfielders, 3 attacking midfielders, 1 striker

Goalkeeper: Mamardashvili
Defenders: Frimpong, Ndukwe, Chambers, Kerkez
Defensive Midfield: Szoboszlai, Nyoni
Attacking Midfield: Ngumoha, Wirtz, Koumas
Striker: Isak

Note: This is a VERY young/experimental lineup with many academy players!

Monaco (4-2-3-1 Formation)

Goalkeeper: Hrádecky
Defenders: Vanderson, Sané, Dier, Nazinho
Defensive Midfield: Camara, Cabral
Attacking Midfield: Abline, Golovin, Detourbet
Striker: Biereth

Monaco might stick with the same 11 that beat Getafe.

Score Prediction

Liverpool 2–2 Monaco

Why a Draw?

Bottom line: Expect an "end-to-end match" (both teams attacking, lots of chances, goals at both ends).

How to Watch

United States

• CBS Sports Network
• fuboTV (streaming)
• Fox Deportes (Spanish)
• Fox One

United Kingdom

• Ligue 1+
• ALL RED Video (Liverpool’s own platform)
• LFCTV (Liverpool’s TV channel)

Mexico

• Claro Sports

Canada

• Not available on major broadcasters

Pro Tip: Check LiveSoccerTV for a full list of broadcasters in your country.

What to Watch For (5 Key Things)

1. Iraola’s Anfield debut vibe – Does the crowd get behind him?
2. Defensive shape – Can the young backline handle Monaco’s attackers?
3. Van Dijk & Alisson’s sharpness – First minutes after World Cup break
4. The kids – Will Nyoni, Koumas, or Ndukwe impress again?
5. Set pieces – Both teams have tall players; dead balls could decide it

Summary

• Liverpool vs. Monaco = Preseason friendly at Anfield, Sunday August 9
• Iraola’s first home game as Liverpool boss after 2 wins, 1 loss (4-2 to Leeds)
• Big concern: Liverpool’s defense has looked very vulnerable all summer
• Monaco are in transition after losing Akliouche to PSG
• Prediction: 2-2 draw (goals expected at both ends)
• Young players will feature heavily for Liverpool due to injuries
• Watch on: CBS Sports/fuboTV (US), LFCTV/ALL RED (UK)

FAQ (Your Questions Answered)

1. Is this a real competitive match?

No. It’s a preseason friendly—like a practice game that happens to be at Anfield with fans watching. The result doesn’t count for anything official, but it helps managers prepare for the real season.

2. Why are so many Liverpool players missing?

Three reasons:

• Some are injured long-term (Endō, Bradley, etc.)
• Some just got back from the World Cup and need more time (Mac Allister)
• Some had minor setbacks (Gomez)
  This gives academy youngsters a huge chance to impress the new manager.

3. Who is Andoni Iraola?

He’s Liverpool’s new head coach (appointed this summer). He previously managed Rayo Vallecano in Spain and Bournemouth in the Premier League. He’s known for high-energy, attacking football—lots of pressing, lots of goals.

4. Why did Monaco sell Akliouche to PSG?

Big clubs buy good players from smaller clubs—that’s football! Akliouche had a great season, PSG paid big money, Monaco accepted. The article notes this might help Liverpool sign PSG players (Barcola/Mbaye) as part of the financial ripple effect.

5. Should I wake up early/stay up late to watch?

If you’re a Liverpool fan: YES!

• First look at Iraola’s team at Anfield
• Chance to see the new kids play
• Van Dijk and Alisson’s return
• Preseason games are often more open and entertaining than tense competitive matches

If you’re neutral: Still worth a watch if you like attacking football—2-2 prediction suggests goals!

Enjoy the match! Whether you’re watching at 6:30 AM on the West Coast or 2:30 PM at Anfield, it’s the first taste of the new era at Liverpool.