Liverpool host Monaco in their latest pre‑season friendly on Sunday afternoon with Andoni Iraola set to take charge of the Reds at Anfield for the first time.
The Spanish coach and his Liverpool team earned some mixed reviews on their US Tour after wins over Sunderland and Wrexham were followed by a 4-2 defeat to Leeds United in Chicago last Sunday.
First-half goals from Luke Chambers and Florian Wirtz put the Reds in control at Soldier Field, but Leeds roared back in the second period after a raft of substitutions.
Building up fitness remains the key for both clubs while Liverpool’s squad, including a few more World Cup stars now back in full training, still need time to get to grips with the new boss’s demands ahead of the Premier League campaign.
Monaco are preparing for their Conference League play-off tie later this month and edged Getafe 1‑0 in a home friendly on Thursday.
Filipe Luis arrived in the Principality from Flamengo a little over a month ago and has overseen two wins, a draw and a defeat in Monaco’s four friendly run-outs to date.
Both teams have found the back of the net frequently in pre‑season, but they also concede too easily, and, with their coaches still experimenting, there should be no shortage of goalmouth opportunities for the Anfield crowd on Sunday.
Liverpool v Monaco Tips Summary
Best Bet – Liverpool to win & Both Teams to Score @ 6/4
Alternative Bet – Florian Wirtz to score anytime @ 15/8
Bet Builder – Liverpool/Liverpool HT/FT, Liverpool to score in both halves, Paris Brunner first Monaco scorer @ 18/1
Liverpool v Monaco Prediction
Best Bet: Liverpool to win & Both Teams to Score @ 6/4
It is still the early days of Iraola’s reign, and the Spanish coach will need more time to implement his system and tactics.
It took him 10 attempts to win his first Premier League game at Bournemouth in 2023 with his side losing six of their first nine before that 2-1 victory over Burnley.
Reds fans will hope for more immediate results, but they need to be patient as the team gets up to speed.
However, Iraola cannot afford to get off on the wrong foot with the Anfield faithful and is likely to play his strongest side from the start.
Alisson and Virgil van Dijk should solidify a backline that has looked ragged at times in pre-season, while summer signing Victor Munoz will be looking to impress on his debut.
Monaco may make one or two changes to the side that started against Getafe, which saw summer signing Matthis Abline waste two early chances and have a goal chalked off for offside.
That they kept a clean sheet against a shot-shy Getafe team should have little bearing on this match with Liverpool offering a much greater threat in the attacking third.
Wirtz should be more comfortable in Iraola’s system and Alexander Isak showed some lovely touches and movement in Chicago.
Liverpool’s pre‑season has been defined by goals at both ends, scoring seven times but conceding six in three matches.
Iraola’s high‑pressing, high‑tempo style is already visible, yet the defensive structure is clearly a work in progress.
Monaco, meanwhile, have scored eight and conceded six in four friendlies. Their attacking trio of Abline, Mathys Detourbet and Mika Biereth have enough pace and movement to trouble the Reds’ rotated back line.
But Liverpool have lost just two of their last 18 home matches, and with Van Dijk, Alisson and potentially Cody Gakpo all returning to action, the spine of the team will be far stronger than the second‑half XI that collapsed against Leeds.
Monaco rarely keep clean sheets away from home, but they almost always create chances. A Liverpool win combined with BTTS feels the most natural angle.
Alternative Bet: Florian Wirtz to score anytime @ 15/8
Wirtz scored with his only touch inside Leeds’ box last Sunday with a typically clinical strike.
The German wasn’t able to consistently hit the heights last season following his £100m-plus move from Bayer Leverkusen, but Iraola is tailor-made to bring the best out of him.
Liverpool will press more aggressively this season and Wirtz could be one of the main beneficiaries of high turnovers as he looks to add more goals.
Monaco play out from the back and were caught out on a couple of occasions by Getafe on Thursday, so they could present Liverpool’s number seven with goalscoring chances if the same happens at Anfield.
Liverpool v Monaco Bet Builder
- Liverpool/Liverpool HT/FT
- Liverpool to score in both halves
- Paris Brunner first Monaco scorer
Pays 18/1
This Bet Builder leans into Liverpool’s fast starts, Monaco’s defensive frailties, and the explosive potential of Paris Brunner — Monaco’s leading scorer in pre-season.
Iraola’s side dominated the first half against Leeds and should field a stronger XI from the start here, so they ought to both get their noses in front and keep them there.
Liverpool’s pressing intensity and attacking rotations usually generate sustained pressure with goals in both halves expected.
Brunner has been electric in pre‑season with four goals so far, including the only goal in Thursday’s win over Getafe from the penalty spot.
His pace and directness make him a constant threat, especially against a Liverpool defence still adjusting to Iraola’s system.
Learn more about how Bet Builders work in our Bet Builder guide.
Key Match Stats
- Liverpool have lost just two of their last 18 matches at Anfield
- Monaco have conceded six goals in four friendlies
- Liverpool have scored seven goals in three pre‑season games
- Monaco have lost two of their last three away fixtures
- Liverpool scored twice before half‑time against Leeds
- Monaco have scored in three of four friendlies this summer
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This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.
