Liverpool FC v AS Monaco: Szoboszlai key to Anfield pre-season prediction

Liverpool FC are expected to overcome AS Monaco at Anfield in their penultimate pre-season fixture before beginning their Premier League campaign on 23 August, according to Nasser Eddy’s assessment of the match.

The friendly is scheduled for Sunday, 9 August 2026. The preview identifies a 13:30 GMT start, while the fixture details at the end of the article list kick-off at 16:30 GMT at Anfield in Liverpool, England.

Eddy, a consultant for NCI Sport and presenter of the European Champions League on radio Nostalgie, has backed Liverpool FC to win at odds of 1.55.

The match will give Liverpool FC an opportunity to perform in front of their supporters and build confidence ahead of the new season. The club are beginning a new cycle under manager Andoni Iraola after a disappointing campaign, while also attempting to replace three important departures.

Mohamed Salah, Ibrahima Konate and Andrew Robertson have all left as free agents, joining Trabzonspor, Real Madrid and Tottenham respectively. Liverpool FC have not made major-profile signings to fill those gaps, instead recruiting young players Victor Munoz from Osasuna and Jeremy Jacquet from Rennes. The two prospects are aged 22 and 20 respectively.

However, Liverpool FC’s pre-season form has not been entirely convincing. They have recorded two victories and one defeat from three matches, including a 4-2 loss to Leeds United last Sunday. They have scored in every game and have found the net seven times, but have conceded six goals, with defensive weaknesses already apparent.

One positive has been the team’s starts. Liverpool FC have taken the lead in all three of their pre-season matches, scoring first inside the opening 15 minutes on two occasions.

AS Monaco’s visit to England will offer Filipe Luis’ side valuable experience against a top UEFA Champions League-level opponent, although the club are expected to compete in the Conference League this season. Their preparation has brought two wins, one draw and one defeat in four matches.

Their most recent outing ended in a 1-0 victory over Getafe on Thursday, 6 August, with Paris Brunner scoring from the penalty spot. The 20-year-old German forward has been one of the summer’s revelations at AS Monaco and has scored four goals in four pre-season appearances.

That form has not removed the impact of recent departures. Captain Denis Zakaria has left, while Maghnes Akliouche joined Paris Saint-Germain in recent hours, leaving a significant gap in Filipe Luis’ attacking options. Matthis Abline has been signed and Ansu Fati’s arrival has been confirmed, although the Spain international remains unavailable because of injury, as does Paul Pogba.

AS Monaco still retain several regular starters from last season, including Lamine Camara, Lukas Hradecky, Alexander Golovin, Eric Dier and Vanderson. Nevertheless, their recent record is inconsistent: two wins, one draw and three defeats in their past six matches in all competitions.

The clubs have regularly appeared in the UEFA Champions League during the 21st century but have met only twice in official competition. Those fixtures came in the 2004-05 group stage. Liverpool FC won 2-0 at Anfield, before AS Monaco responded with a 1-0 victory at Stade Louis II.

Dominik Szoboszlai is identified as a key figure for Liverpool FC. The 25-year-old Hungary international was one of the few players to emerge strongly from the club’s difficult 2025-26 season and is considered to have been the team’s best player during that campaign.

His ball-winning ability, willingness to move forward, stamina and threat from set-pieces give Iraola several ways to use him. Szoboszlai has already scored and provided an assist in pre-season, starting Liverpool FC’s two most recent matches, and will aim to carry that momentum into the new campaign.

Liverpool FC are tipped to win, with the prediction also suggesting AS Monaco will fail to score, giving odds of 2.57 for “NO” on both teams scoring. Liverpool FC are priced at 1.46 to score first and 5.22 to win by exactly two goals.

The odds may change.