Two English Giants Fall, Arsenal and Liverpool Lose in Pre-Season Matches.

Arsenal and Liverpool both suffered defeats in their pre-season matches on Sunday 9 August 2026. Arsenal fell 2-3 to Borussia Dortmund in the Emirates Cup fixture at the Emirates Stadium, London. Liverpool suffered the same fate after losing 2-3 to AS Monaco at Anfield.

Arsenal fielded a number of first-team players against Dortmund, with Martin Odegaard operating in midfield while Viktor Gyokeres led the attacking line.

However, The Gunners were stunned by Dortmund in the 7th minute, as Samuele Inacio exploited gaps in Arsenal's defence to put the visiting side 1-0 ahead.

Dortmund doubled their advantage in the 29th minute through Konstantinos Karetsas. Arsenal headed into the half-time break trailing by two goals.

Mikel Arteta attempted to turn the tide after the interval. Ethan Nwaneri pulled one back for Arsenal in the 54th minute, finishing off an assist from Christos Tzolis.

But Dortmund extended their lead once again. Just four minutes later, Joane Gadou scored from a corner set piece to make the score 3-1.

Arsenal closed the gap again in the 69th minute. Gyokeres converted a penalty kick to bring the scoreline to 2-3.

Arteta brought on Gabriel Martinelli and Gabriel Jesus in the 78th minute to add extra attacking threat, but Dortmund successfully held on to their lead until full time.

Arsenal have one remaining pre-season fixture against Como 1907, before facing Manchester City in the Community Shield on Sunday 16 August.

Liverpool Throw Away Two-Goal Lead

Over at Anfield, Liverpool played aggressively and built an early two-goal advantage over Monaco. Alexander Isak opened the scoring in the 16th minute, finishing off a neat combination between Ryan Gravenberch and Dominik Szoboszlai. His strike could not be stopped by goalkeeper Lukas Hradecky.

Liverpool doubled their lead in the 29th minute. Florian Wirtz capitalised on a scramble inside Monaco's penalty area before firing a powerful shot past Hradecky.

However, Liverpool's two-goal cushion did not last until half-time. Monaco were awarded a penalty in the 44th minute, after Virgil van Dijk fouled Aleksandr Golovin inside the box.

Golovin successfully converted the spot kick, cutting Monaco's deficit to 1-2.

Momentum swung firmly in the visiting side's favour in the second half. Mika Biereth equalised in the 56th minute, tucking away the rebound from his own initial shot.

Monaco completed their comeback in the 88th minute. Paris Brunner scored with a header, connecting with a corner delivery from Anis Soubeir.

Liverpool failed to find an equalising goal and had to accept the 2-3 defeat. This result marks The Reds' second consecutive pre-season loss, following their earlier 2-4 defeat against Leeds United.

Liverpool have one final friendly match scheduled against Como on 16 August. Following that, The Reds will kick off their 2026/27 Premier League campaign with an away fixture against Newcastle United on 23 August.