Andoni Iraola is still waiting for his first competitive victory as Liverpool head coach after Nottingham Forest twice surrendered the lead in a 2-2 draw at Anfield in Saturday’s early kickoff.
The result means Liverpool have opened the Premier League season with consecutive 2-2 draws, following the same scoreline against Newcastle United at St James’ Park last weekend. In both matches, the Reds fell behind twice before fighting back to claim a point.
Nottingham Forest, meanwhile, secured their first point of the campaign under new manager Oliver Glasner after opening the season with defeats in the Premier League and Carabao Cup against Leeds United.
Forest stunned the home crowd in the 24th minute when Dan Ndoye finished a swift counter-attack after being played in by Morgan Gibbs-White. The visitors had looked dangerous in transition and punished Liverpool’s defensive uncertainty to take the lead.
Liverpool thought they had restored parity eight minutes later when Florian Wirtz found the net, but the effort was ruled out for offside after Jeremy Frimpong had been caught beyond the defensive line during the build-up.
Forest nearly doubled their advantage before the break, with Alisson producing an excellent save to deny Igor Jesus after Ola Aina had found space on the right.
Liverpool went into half-time break trailing despite having created opportunities of their own.
The hosts eventually found their equaliser 15 minutes after the restart. Cody Gakpo delivered a low cross across the face of goal and Alexander Isak arrived at the right moment to tap home from close range in the 60th minute.
Munoz Rescues Liverpool
Forest regained their advantage ten minutes later when Alisson brought down Neco Williams inside the area after the Forest defender had raced onto a quick throw from Liam Delap. Gibbs-White confidently sent the Liverpool goalkeeper the wrong way from the penalty spot to make it 2-1.
Liverpool refused to collapse, however, and their persistence was rewarded eight minutes from time. Víctor Muñoz, making his first Premier League start for the club, produced a powerful effort that deflected and struck the crossbar before finding the net to rescue another point for Iraola’s side.
The draw continues a remarkable recent run in this fixture at Anfield. Forest had won the previous two league meetings at Liverpool’s home ground, including a 3-0 victory last season, and had become the first side to win there in consecutive Premier League campaigns since 2024. Liverpool had never previously lost three successive home league games against Forest.
For Iraola, the immediate concern is that Liverpool are showing character without yet showing the control expected from a side beginning a new era.
They have scored four goals across their opening two league games but have also conceded four, leaving the new manager with defensive issues to address.
Liverpool move to two points from their opening two matches, while Forest claim their first point of the season. For Glasner, it was an encouraging response after a difficult start; for Iraola, another comeback has prevented defeat, but the search for his first win continues.
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