Andoni Iraola's first match at Anfield as Liverpool manager ended in disappointment on Sunday, as his side let a two-goal lead slip in a 3-2 friendly defeat to Monaco. The result marked the second consecutive pre-season game in which Liverpool squandered a comfortable advantage, raising questions about the team's fitness and depth ahead of the new campaign. Main Developments Liverpool started brightly, with Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz putting the hosts ahead in the first half. However, Monaco responded through Aleksandr Golovin's penalty and a strike from Mika Biereth to level the score, before Paris Brunner headed in a late winner to complete the comeback. Read also: Messi's Father Jorge Dies at 68 After Cancer Battle Iraola made 11 changes at halftime, handing a first Liverpool appearance to new signing Victor Munoz. The wholesale rotation disrupted the team's rhythm, and Monaco dominated the second half, a pattern Iraola acknowledged after the match. Captain Virgil van Dijk, goalkeeper Alisson Becker, and winger Cody Gakpo all made their first appearances since the World Cup. Iraola noted that the returning players showed energy but lacked the stamina for a full 90 minutes, saying, "It will take time with them, we need more training with them." Background The defeat follows a similar collapse against Leeds United in Chicago last week, where Liverpool also led by two goals but lost 4-2. Iraola drew direct parallels between the two performances, noting that his side played well for the first 30 minutes but struggled to maintain the required level thereafter. Iraola, a 44-year-old Spaniard, is in his first season as Liverpool manager, having taken over from a previous regime. The pre-season has been a period of transition, with new signings like Munoz integrating into the squad and key players returning from international duty. Elsewhere in pre-season action, Manchester United played out a goalless draw with Paris St-Germain in Gothenburg, Sweden, with playmaker Mason Mount forced off after a kick. United manager Michael Carrick downplayed the injury, saying, "We just wanted to be careful and look after him." Newcastle United's new coach Matthias Jaissle began his tenure with a 2-1 win over Valencia, thanks to a Yoane Wissa brace after Filip Ugrinic's early opener. Summer signing Anthony Elanga was stretchered off after a challenge from Valencia defender Jose Gaya, but Jaissle reported the injury was not serious. Why It Matters Liverpool's repeated failure to protect leads in pre-season highlights potential vulnerabilities in fitness and game management as the Premier League season approaches. With the opening fixture against Newcastle United on Aug 23, Iraola must address these issues quickly to avoid a poor start. The return of key players like Van Dijk, Alisson, and Gakpo is a positive, but their lack of match fitness is a concern. Iraola's rotation policy, while necessary, has yet to yield the desired results, and the team's second-half drop-off against Monaco was a clear warning sign. For Manchester United, Mount's recurring injury problems continue to be a worry, despite Carrick's reassurances. The draw with PSG showed promise, but the team's inability to convert chances remains an area of focus. What's Next Liverpool will look to fine-tune their preparations in their remaining pre-season fixtures before the Premier League opener at Newcastle on Aug 23. Iraola will likely give more minutes to his returning internationals to build their fitness. Manchester United will monitor Mount's condition ahead of their next pre-season match, while Newcastle will hope for positive news on Elanga's injury. Jaissle emphasized that pre-season is a "journey," and both managers will use the coming days to sharpen their squads for the season ahead.