Andoni Iraola’s first match as Liverpool manager at Anfield ended in a 2-2 draw against Nottingham Forest, with a late strike from Victor Munoz rescuing a point for the hosts. The result leaves both Iraola and Forest manager Oliver Glasner still searching for their first victory of the new campaign.
Nottingham Forest appeared poised to secure a third consecutive victory at Anfield as they took the lead twice. Dan Ndoye opened the scoring in the 24th minute after a defensive lapse allowed Igor Jesus to bear down on goal, eventually setting up Ndoye to find the far corner. Morgan Gibbs-White later restored the visitors’ advantage from the penalty spot after Alisson Becker fouled Neco Williams, following a quick throw-in from Liam Delap that caught the Liverpool defense off guard.
Liverpool responded twice to the setbacks. Alexander Isak leveled the score on the hour mark, tapping home from an inch-perfect cross by Cody Gakpo. After falling behind again, Munoz salvaged the draw with a deflected effort that struck the crossbar, marking his first goal since arriving from Osasuna. The equalizer followed a precise through ball from Florian Wirtz, justifying Iraola’s decision to keep Munoz on the pitch while substituting Gakpo.
The match highlighted ongoing defensive vulnerabilities for Liverpool, who struggled to contain a Forest side that had failed to score in their previous two outings. Jeremy Jacquet provided a vital block to deny Igor Jesus, and Alisson was forced into a crucial save against Ndoye in first-half stoppage time. Wirtz, meanwhile, showed flashes of quality but saw a potential equalizer ruled out for offside against Jeremie Frimpong.
Iraola, who replaced the dismissed Arne Slot, faces pressure to improve the team’s performance following a disappointing fifth-place finish last season, despite the club’s record-equalling 20th top-flight title in 2024/25. The squad’s recent £450 million investment has yet to yield consistent results, with high-profile signings like Milos Kerkez, Jeremie Frimpong, Isak, and Wirtz struggling to make a decisive impact.
Off the pitch, Liverpool is nearing a deal for Paris Saint-Germain winger Bradley Barcola, with a transfer fee reportedly set at £106 million, potentially rising by another £17 million. The arrival of the French international could signal the departure of Cody Gakpo, who has attracted interest from Tottenham and Manchester City. Liverpool will look to integrate Barcola ahead of their upcoming fixture against Ipswich this Friday. The report also notes that the French winger has been one of the Reds’ top targets for months and a £106 million ($144 million) deal with Paris Saint-Germain that could rise by a further £17 million is reportedly close to completion. The report also notes that but instead got a reminder of why he was giving the chance to replace the sacked Arne Slot, iraola said he was hoping for a special day to mark his first match in charge at the club’s iconic home. The report also notes that a record £450 million outlay on new signings 12 months ago continues to bear little return on investment as full-backs Milos Kerkez and Jeremie Frimpong were subbed off, while Isak and Florian Wirtz again struggled to make the impact expected for enormous transfer fees. The report also notes that jeremy Jacquet had to produce a brilliant last-ditch block to deny Igor Jesus and Ndoye headed narrowly wide before Forest took the lead on 24 minutes. The report also notes that in keeping with his Liverpool career to date, Wirtz showed flashes of brilliance without stamping his authority on the game. The report also notes that they were struck by a sucker punch, yet just as the home side were beginning the build momentum.
