Liverpool vs Monaco: Prediction, Betting Tips and Match Preview

Liverpool and Monaco are set to face off in another summer friendly as both sides fine-tune their preparations for the upcoming season. For the hosts, this match carries extra significance: it marks the debut of newly appointed manager Andoni Iraola at Anfield. The Monegasques, meanwhile, view this as one of their final serious tests before heading into UEFA Conference League qualifying. With both teams still searching for their ideal shape and rhythm, this encounter promises tactical intrigue and plenty of attacking ambition.

Tactical Analysis: Liverpool

During the Premier League Summer Series in the United States, Liverpool delivered a series of performances that were bright but inconsistent. They defeated Sunderland 4–2 and Wrexham 1–0, but then suffered a painful 4–2 loss to Leeds United after leading 2–0 at halftime, conceding four goals in the second half. In attack, the Reds have shown excellent ball movement and creative play, with Florian Wirtz and Alexander Isak heavily involved. However, the injury to Joe Gomez has exposed a critical shortage in the defensive line, and the lack of concentration without specialist defenders led to the collapse in the last friendly.

The departure of Ibrahima Konaté and Andrew Robertson on free transfers has only deepened the defensive woes. A potential solution may come in the form of 21-year-old Frenchman Jérémy Jacquet, signed from Rennes. To strengthen the attack after the exit of Mohamed Salah, Liverpool also brought in winger Víctor Muñoz from Osasuna. Still, due to a shortage of right-sided attackers, the club is actively negotiating for PSG’s Bradley Barcola—a deal that could become the most high-profile transfer of the summer.

On the personnel front, there is reason for optimism. Only Alexis Mac Allister remains on leave after the World Cup final. Yes, there are injuries—Hugo Ekitike and Joe Gomez are among the absentees—but key players are returning to full fitness. New signing Víctor Muñoz is eager to make his debut, while Virgil van Dijk, Cody Gakpo, and Alisson have resumed training. This gives Iraola plenty of options to boost the attacking play, even if he is forced to experiment with left-back Luke Chambers in central defense due to the shortage of natural centre-backs.

Tactical Analysis: Monaco

Monaco have played four friendlies so far: they beat Saint-Priest 5–2 and Getafe 1–0, lost to Sporting 0–2, and drew 2–2 with Cercle Brugge. The star of the summer has been forward Paris Brunner, who has scored four goals. Alexander Golovin also continues to impress, dictating the team’s play and scoring from set pieces. However, the main issue for Filipe Luis’s side has been the vulnerability of their high defensive line to counter-attacks—a problem the new Monegasque coach has repeatedly acknowledged.

Monaco have suffered a significant blow in midfield with the sale of Alaji Bamba to Newcastle, making them more susceptible to intense pressing. The left flank has also been completely exposed after the departures of Caio Henrique and Kassoum Ouattara. To plug the defensive gaps, the club signed full-back Flávio Nazinho and centre-back Sadibu Sané. The biggest news of the summer, however, is the sale of Maghnes Akliouche to PSG—a serious blow to the team’s attacking potential. Additionally, with the possible transfer of Folarin Balogun looming, Monaco have bought striker Mathis Abline from Nantes, though there are serious doubts he can fully replace the club’s attacking leaders.

The squad situation is brightened by the return of players after the World Cup: Lamine Camara, Denis Zakaria, and Folarin Balogun are now with the team and could get minutes. Ahead of European competition, Filipe Luis is radically restructuring the team’s approach, emphasising pragmatism. Against Liverpool, the coach will likely set up a compact defensive block to stifle the opponent’s fast attacks, while also testing aggressive high pressing in specific zones.

Predicted Lineups

Liverpool (4-2-3-1): Alisson – Frimpong, van Dijk, Chambers, Kerkez – Szoboszlai, Nyoni – Muñoz, Wirtz, Gakpo – Isak

Unavailable: Gomez, Bradley, Ekitike, Leoni, Jaroš, Bajčetić (all injured), Mac Allister (not in squad)

Head coach: Andoni Iraola

Monaco (4-4-2): Köhn – Vanderson, Dyer, Kehrer, Nazinho – Golovin, Camara, Cabral, Détourbe – Brunner, Abline

Unavailable: Sallisu, Minamino, Pogba (all injured), Fati (doubtful)

Head coach: Filipe Luis

Prediction and Bet

Main prediction: Liverpool to win with a handicap (-1.5) at odds of 2.43

The hosts will take to the Anfield pitch with immense motivation for Iraola’s first home game. Monaco, on the other hand, arrive unbalanced: the loss of key destroyer Bamba and the complete overhaul of the left flank make them vulnerable. The high pace of Muñoz and Wirtz will pose an almost unsolvable problem for the visitors. Despite Luis’s attempts to set up a compact block, the lack of cohesion in the new defensive line will inevitably lead to mistakes under the intense pressure of the English side. The quality of Liverpool’s attacking line should secure a comfortable win.

Total prediction: Over 3.5 goals at odds of 2.05

Both teams prioritise attack but struggle with defensive reliability. For Liverpool, the absence of Gomez and the exit of Konaté mean that inexperienced Chambers is covering the centre-back position—an opportunity that the in-form Brunner and Golovin can exploit. At the same time, the English side consistently create chances thanks to their superb ball movement. Given the high scoring rates in Liverpool’s summer matches (4.3 goals per game) and Monaco’s (3.5 goals per game), we expect an open, eventful match with plenty of goalmouth action.