Liverpool came from behind twice to deny Nottingham Forest a win at Anfield, as new boy Víctor Muñoz scored in his home debut while Alexander Isak got off the mark for the season.
Forest took the lead in the 24th minute, as Switzerland international Dan Ndoye scored his first goal in the Premier League since last August — against Brentford on the opening matchday of last season.
Liverpool then thought they’d equalised through Florian Wirtz in the 32nd minute, only for the goal to be chalked off due to offside following a VAR check. Iraola’s side went into half-time 1-0 down.
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Isak, who had a difficult debut season at Liverpool, drew his team level in the 60th minute with a tap-in at the backpost, following excellent work and an inviting cross from Cody Gakpo — who continues to be linked with a move away.
New Forest signing Liam Delap then made an instant impact on his debut, as he found Neco Williams in the box with a long throw — Williams was then felled by Alisson and Forest were awarded a penalty. Morgan Gibbs-White stepped up to take and sent Alisson the wrong way to make it 2-1 to Forest.
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But Liverpool endeavoured and came back again, as Muñoz — signed from Osasuna this summer — scored an absolute rocket on his Anfield debut. He got a huge amount of force on the shot and it nestled in off the bar, as the home crowd let out an enormous roar.
Neither side could find a winner in the closing stages and the points were shared. For Forest head coach Oliver Glasner, it’s a first point on the board — and a much-needed one after back-to-back defeats against Leeds in the league and the Carabao Cup, respectively — and his side played very well amidst a raucous atmosphere at Anfield.
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For Iraola, it’s back-to-back draws but he will be encouraged by Isak — who desperately needs a good season — getting on the scoresheet, while Muñoz had an excellent game. They are set to boost their attack too, with Paris Saint-Germain’s Bradley Barcola expected to arrive on Merseyside — according to ESPN reporting.
It was a thrilling match at Anfield and, while both sides will be ruing chances missed to take all three points, there were positives for both Iraola and Glasner to take.
