Liverpool XI vs Monaco: Munoz Set for Reds Debut 2026

Key Points

• Liverpool XI versus Monaco: Victor Munoz is likely to make his Liverpool debut in Sunday’s friendly game at Anfield.
• The match will take place at 2.30pm BST on Sunday, August 9, 2026.
• Liverpool predicted team selection will include Alisson Becker, Virgil van Dijk, Florian Wirtz and Alexander Isak.
• Jeremy Jacquet is doubtful after suffering discomfort while training.
• Jeremie Frimpong is also doubtful after requesting to be substituted in their defeat by Leeds United.
• Joe Gomez, Hugo Ekitike, Giovanni Leoni, and Conor Bradley are currently injured.
• Alexis Mac Allister is not part of the squad as he is on his post-World Cup rest.
• Wataru Endo might make a comeback into the squad after making progress in his training.
• Liverpool have just one seasoned center-back, Virgil van Dijk, in their squad for the fixture.
• The game will be streamed via Liverpool’s All Red Video channel, LFCTV, and club app on the TV.
• The AS Monaco side comes into the match after their 1-0 win against Getafe, with Maghnes Akliouche leaving them to join Paris Saint-Germain.

Liverpool Sports (Liverpool standard) August 8, 2026 – Liverpool are preparing to face AS Monaco in Andoni Iraola’s first match at uk/local/anfield/">Anfield as head coach, with summer signing Victor Munoz expected to make his debut and several senior players returning to the squad after the World Cup. The fixture is scheduled for 2.30pm BST on Sunday, August 9, and will form part of Liverpool’s preparations for the 2026-27 campaign.

Liverpool’s predicted XI is Alisson; Jeremie Frimpong, Ifeanyi Ndukwe, Virgil van Dijk, Milos Kerkez; Trey Nyoni, Dominik Szoboszlai; Victor Munoz, Florian Wirtz, Rio Ngumoha; and Alexander Isak. However, the final starting lineup remains subject to late fitness checks, particularly involving Frimpong and Jacquet.

Who is expected to start for Liverpool against Monaco?

The Evening Standard’s predicted Liverpool lineup places Alisson Becker in goal after the Brazil international began his pre-season programme following the World Cup. The goalkeeper, who did not take part in Liverpool’s tour of the United States, is expected to receive at least some playing time as Iraola gradually reintegrates returning players.

Van Dijk is expected to start at centre-back. The captain is one of the few senior defenders available for the match, with Liverpool facing a shortage of experienced options in the position.

The Standard has listed Ifeanyi Ndukwe as the likely partner for Van Dijk if Jacquet is not cleared to play. Ndukwe has been used during Liverpool’s pre-season programme and could again be asked to fill a significant defensive role against Monaco. ESPN also reported that Luke Chambers or Ndukwe could be required to start because of Liverpool’s limited centre-back options.

Frimpong is included in the predicted XI at right-back, although his availability is not guaranteed. The Netherlands international requested to come off during Liverpool’s 4-2 defeat by Leeds United in Chicago. Iraola subsequently said the substitution was caused by an overload rather than a confirmed injury, but the player remains a doubt ahead of the Monaco fixture.

Kerkez is predicted to continue at left-back. The defensive line could therefore contain two players whose fitness will be monitored before kick-off, while Van Dijk is expected to provide the main source of experience in the centre.

Could Victor Munoz make his Liverpool debut?

Victor Munoz is expected to feature after cutting short part of his post-World Cup holiday to begin work with Liverpool. The winger joined from Osasuna in a reported £34.5 million transfer and became the first signing of the Iraola era, according to The Standard.

Munoz had been entitled to a mandatory three-week break after being involved with Spain at the World Cup. Although he did not make an appearance for the national team after dealing with an injury early in the tournament, Spain’s run to the final delayed his arrival at Liverpool.

The 23-year-old chose to return earlier than required and trained for the first time on Wednesday. Speaking about the possibility of facing Monaco, Munoz said: “Well, I think I’m ready.” He added that he would be prepared to play if the manager selected him for the starting XI.

The Standard’s match preview suggested that Munoz was more likely to come off the bench because of his limited training time. However, the publication’s predicted lineup for the separate XI report includes him on the right side of Liverpool’s attacking midfield. That difference reflects the uncertainty surrounding a player who has only recently joined the group.

The winger’s involvement is expected to be managed carefully. Even if Munoz starts, a full 90-minute appearance would be unlikely given his late return to training. His first appearance will nevertheless be a significant moment for supporters because he is Iraola’s first major attacking signing at Liverpool.

Which Liverpool players are returning?

Alisson, Van Dijk and Cody Gakpo are expected to be involved after missing the United States tour. All three had been completing their World Cup-related rest and are now returning to Liverpool’s pre-season schedule.

The Standard’s team-news report expects Alisson, Van Dijk and Gakpo to feature, with each player potentially receiving a controlled amount of action. Gakpo is not included in the predicted starting XI, but his return increases the number of senior options available to Iraola in attack.

Wataru Endo could also receive minutes. Liverpool’s official injury and availability update said that Endo had been progressing through an individual training programme after missing the World Cup with Japan. Iraola said on August 1 that the midfielder was “very close to being ready” and could potentially play against Monaco.

Endo’s availability could be particularly important because ESPN reported that he may deputise in central defence if Liverpool require another experienced player alongside Van Dijk. His primary position is midfield, but the defensive shortage could force Iraola to consider a temporary change of role.

Stefan Bajcetic has also been progressing in training, although the available reports do not place him in the predicted starting lineup. Liverpool’s official update said that Bajcetic had not played during the 2025-26 season but had stepped up his training programme during the club’s United States tour.

Who is missing through injury?

Joe Gomez, Hugo Ekitike, Giovanni Leoni and Conor Bradley are expected to miss the match.

Gomez suffered a muscle injury during Liverpool’s first pre-season fixture against Sunderland. Iraola said the defender would be out for several weeks and described a return before the start of the season as unlikely. The manager added that the recovery period could be around a month, depending on how the injury developed.

Ekitike remains sidelined after rupturing his Achilles tendon in April. The official Liverpool update said that he remains out with a long-term injury.

Leoni is recovering from an anterior cruciate ligament injury suffered during his debut early in the 2025-26 campaign. Liverpool said he was the closest of the three long-term absentees to returning, but Iraola indicated that Leoni, Bradley and Ekitike were still facing considerable time away from competitive action.

Bradley underwent surgery after suffering a significant knee injury away at Arsenal in January. He is also unavailable for the Monaco friendly.

Jacquet has not yet made his Liverpool debut after experiencing discomfort during training. The defender missed several months last season with Rennes because of a shoulder injury and has not featured in any of Liverpool’s pre-season matches so far.

Iraola said that Liverpool did not want to rush Jacquet because he had already spent a long period without playing. The manager also explained that he wanted to test Jacquet alongside Van Dijk once the new signing was ready, particularly because Gomez’s injury had left Liverpool without another senior centre-back.

Mac Allister is unavailable because his post-World Cup break continues until after the Monaco match. His absence is expected to give Nyoni another opportunity in central midfield, with the youngster having impressed during Liverpool’s opening pre-season fixtures.

What is the predicted Liverpool formation?

The predicted formation is a 4-2-3-1, with Nyoni and Szoboszlai operating behind Wirtz in midfield. Wirtz is expected to continue in the No.10 position, where he can link the midfield with Isak.

The attacking line is predicted to include Munoz, Wirtz and Ngumoha behind Isak. The lineup would give Liverpool a mixture of new arrivals, returning senior players and younger members of the squad.

Nyoni’s inclusion is linked to Mac Allister’s absence. The midfielder is due to return after the Monaco match, meaning the friendly could offer Nyoni another chance to demonstrate his ability in a central role before more experienced options become available.

Liverpool have already played three pre-season matches in the United States. They defeated Sunderland and Wrexham before losing 4-2 to Leeds after surrendering a two-goal lead. Iraola will be seeking a stronger defensive performance when Liverpool return to Anfield.

How can supporters watch Liverpool versus Monaco?

Liverpool versus Monaco will kick off at 2.30pm BST on Sunday, August 9, at Anfield. The fixture will be available through Liverpool’s All Red Video service, with coverage also offered through the official club app, LFCTV and connected television applications.

The Standard reported that All Red Video requires a membership and listed an annual subscription price of £42.99 at the time of publication. ESPN also listed LFCTV as an option and said the match would be available on FanCode in India.

Live coverage from Anfield will begin one hour before kick-off for All Red Full and Video members. Liverpool also said that its coverage would not be available in France or Monaco.

What is the Monaco team news?

Monaco arrive in Liverpool after beating Getafe 1-0. The Ligue 1 side had previously beaten Saint-Priest 2-0, drawn 2-2 with Cercle Brugge and lost 2-0 to Sporting CP during their pre-season schedule.

The Standard reported that Monaco are managed by former Chelsea left-back Filipe Luis. The squad includes former Premier League players such as Folarin Balogun and Eric Dier, while former Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba has not featured in the club’s pre-season matches.

Monaco will be without Maghnes Akliouche after the attacking midfielder joined Paris Saint-Germain. ESPN reported that Akliouche had spent five years at Monaco and had also represented France at the World Cup. The player had reportedly been a Liverpool target before moving to PSG.

The Standard also mentioned former Arsenal striker Balogun and former West Ham defender Thilo Kehrer among Monaco’s players expected to attract attention at Anfield.

What is the background to Liverpool’s pre-season match?

Liverpool’s meeting with Monaco is part of the club’s final phase of preparation for the 2026-27 season. Liverpool officially announced that the team would play two pre-season fixtures at Anfield, hosting Monaco on August 9 before facing Como 1907 on August 16.

The match will be Iraola’s first in charge at Anfield. He replaced Arne Slot earlier in the summer and has already overseen Liverpool’s three matches in the United States. The Reds won against Sunderland and Wrexham but suffered a 4-2 defeat against Leeds in their most recent outing.

Liverpool and Monaco have met twice previously, with both occasions coming in the 2004-05 Champions League group stage. Each club recorded one victory, with no draw between them.

The immediate focus is expected to remain on player fitness, tactical organisation and the integration of returning World Cup players rather than the result. Liverpool’s defensive absences make the friendly an important test for younger defenders and any midfielders who may be required to cover at centre-back.

How could the Liverpool XI versus Monaco affect supporters?

For Liverpool supporters, the principal development will be the opportunity to see Munoz in a Liverpool shirt for the first time. His early return from holiday means fans may see him involved sooner than initially expected, although his minutes are likely to be managed because he has only recently resumed training.

The return of Alisson, Van Dijk and Gakpo should also provide supporters with a clearer indication of Iraola’s preferred structure before the start of the competitive season. Their involvement may increase the balance between youth and experience after Liverpool used a largely inexperienced squad during parts of the United States tour.

The defensive situation remains the main concern for supporters. With Gomez, Leoni and Bradley injured and Jacquet doubtful, Liverpool may need to rely on Ndukwe or Chambers alongside Van Dijk. Endo’s possible return could give Iraola another option, either in midfield or as emergency defensive cover.

The Monaco fixture is therefore likely to provide further information about Liverpool’s squad depth. It should help supporters assess which young players are ready for larger roles, how quickly the World Cup players can regain match fitness and whether the defensive absences could influence Liverpool’s recruitment plans before the new season begins.