Liverpool suffer fresh pre-season collapse as Iraola raises fitness fears
Liverpool manager Andoni Iraola has admitted his squad lacks the physical conditioning for his pressing style after surrendering a second consecutive two-goal lead during Sunday’s pre-season clash with Monaco.
The Merseyside club were pegged back by their French opponents just a week after suffering a similar late collapse against Leeds United.
These back-to-back setbacks have abruptly halted any summer momentum ahead of their Premier League opener against Newcastle United on 23 August.
Stamina concerns under new regime
Iraola is demanding a swift return to physically intense, high-pressing football following the departure of former boss Arne Slot.
However, the current squad attempted the third-fewest pressures in the English top flight last season, highlighting the steep physical transition now required.
Following the latest defensive capitulation, the Basque tactician delivered a stark public assessment of his team’s stamina limitations.
“We played well in the first half, especially the first 30 minutes, but right now probably we don’t have much more in terms of the level required to play like this.”
Attacking positives amid defensive woes
Despite the broader tactical anxieties, the new head coach can take encouragement from the individual performances of his high-profile forwards.
Florian Wirtz and Alexander Isak both found the net against the Ligue 1 outfit at the weekend.
The attacking duo are flourishing in pre-season as they look to emphatically bounce back from testing debut campaigns at Anfield.