Liverpool salvaged a 2-2 Premier League draw against Nottingham Forest at Anfield on Saturday after 23-year-old Spanish winger Victor Munoz scored his first goal for the club eight minutes from time.
The result leaves manager Andoni Iraola's side with consecutive 2-2 draws to open their league campaign, having trailed four times across their opening two matches against Newcastle United and Forest.
Munoz rescued a point for Liverpool in the 82nd minute with a rising effort that crashed into the net off the underside of the crossbar at the Kop end following a sharp pass from German midfielder Florian Wirtz on the edge of the penalty area.
The equalizer capped a frantic finish to a performance that again exposed Liverpool's defensive frailties, following last weekend's identical 2-2 draw at Newcastle. Liverpool won the Premier League title in 2025 under former manager Arne Slot, but Iraola's team continues to look short of cohesion.
Forest take first-half lead
Nottingham Forest, managed by former Crystal Palace boss Oliver Glasner, arrived at Anfield seeking a response after losing their opening league match at home to Leeds United. Forest have enjoyed strong results at Anfield in recent years alongside their historic achievements at the venue during the 1970s and 1980s.
Forest threatened repeatedly during the opening 20 minutes with fluent attacking play. Dan Ndoye went close with a header, while forward Igor Jesus saw two efforts blocked in quick succession by new central defender Jeremy Jacquet and full-back Milos Kerkez.
Forest took a deserved lead in the 24th minute when goalkeeper Matz Sels launched a long kick downfield. The Liverpool defence attempted to play a Forest forward offside but caught the wrong attacker. Alexis Mac Allister temporarily halted Jesus, but Morgan Gibbs-White gathered the loose ball and fed Ndoye, who finished right-footed past Alisson into the far corner for his first Premier League goal since the opening day of last season.
Disallowed goal and crucial Alisson save
Liverpool pushed for a response before the interval. Munoz shot over the crossbar, while Wirtz had a header saved after connecting with a Cody Gakpo cross. Wirtz thought he had equalized when he turned and slotted a low shot into the corner, but VAR ruled the goal out because Jeremie Frimpong was offside in the build-up.
Forest almost doubled their advantage moments before half-time. Full-back Ola Aina beat Munoz near the byline and pulled the ball back for Jesus. The striker struck a first-time shot toward the roof of the net, but Alisson produced a two-handed save to push the ball over the bar.
Isak scores before Forest penalty
Liverpool equalized 15 minutes after the restart. Gakpo produced a turn to evade Forest defender Neco Williams on the edge of the penalty area and delivered a low cross to the far post, where Alexander Isak slid the ball in from close range. The goal was Isak's first of the campaign as the striker looks to establish himself following his move alongside Wirtz, with the pair costing a combined 225 million pounds.
Forest restored their lead nine minutes later. Substitute Liam Delap, who joined Forest from Chelsea earlier in the week, took a quick throw-in that caught Liverpool's defence unprepared and found former Liverpool defender Williams. As Williams tried to lift the ball over Alisson, the goalkeeper brought him down inside the penalty area, receiving a booking from referee Sam Barrott before Gibbs-White converted the resulting spot-kick in the 70th minute.
Full-back struggles and transfer context
Liverpool's full-back performance proved a central issue throughout the match. While Jacquet delivered an assured display in central defence, Frimpong struggled severely at right-back before being substituted for Ryan Gravenberch in the 71st minute. Kerkez was later replaced by Kostas Tsimikas in the 76th minute, with Santiago Araujo replacing Jacquet and Trey Nyoni replacing Mac Allister in a triple substitution that also saw Rio Ngumoah replace Gakpo.
Before kick-off, news circulated around Anfield regarding Liverpool's pending 123 million pound signing of forward Bradley Barcola. New Liverpool vice-chairman Amir Bhatia watched the match from the directors' box as the club seeks to add depth following squad shortcomings last season.
In the final minute of play, Gravenberch executed a dummy on the edge of the box to release Isak, but the striker misread the pass and the opportunity faded. Forest manager Glasner introduced David Netz for Aina in the 86th minute, followed by late stoppage-time changes bringing on Callum Hudson-Odoi for James McAtee and Nicolas Dominguez for Jesus, as Forest held on to share the points.
