Liverpool and Nottingham Forest Share Spoils in Thrilling 2-2 Draw
Liverpool faced Nottingham Forest at Anfield on Sunday, ending the match with a 2-2 draw that leaves both teams without a win under their new managers.
In a game marked by late drama, Victor Munoz earned a penalty that led to Dominik Szoboszlai’s equalising goal in the 99th minute. Szoboszlai, making an impressive debut for Liverpool, scored the equaliser after coming on for what many expected to be a difficult match against Forest, who had previously triumphed at Anfield.
The match saw contributions from both flanks, with Szoboszlai playing a crucial role in the equaliser, while assistant coach Andoni Iraola looked for more depth in the attack. Liverpool had yet to find a replacement for Mohamed Salah, but they managed to gain two equalisers during the match, scoring through Szoboszlai and Alexander Isak.
Despite the excitement on the pitch, both teams faced defensive vulnerabilities. Liverpool showed weaknesses, especially against counter-attacks, as Newcastle had also taken advantage of their high defensive line in a prior match. Notably, Forest’s first goal came after a long clearance from goalkeeper Matz Sels, which left the Liverpool defence exposed.
The match began with Forest taking the lead. Dan Ndoye scored following a setup by Morgan Gibbs-White, who excelled in his role by also converting a penalty after a foul on Neco Williams by Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson Becker.
Liverpool’s Iraola reflected on the performance post-match, stating, “Everything hasn’t been perfect but he tries again and again and again and I like this from the wingers.” However, he acknowledged the need to improve defensive organization, as both Forest’s goals exposed the cracks in his team’s setup.
As the game unfolded, Liverpool displayed their offensive intent, with Florian Wirtz and Cody Gakpo making significant contributions. However, Gakpo’s future remains uncertain, as he struggled to find consistency in form in front of goal. Meanwhile, Wirtz had an impressive outing and was instrumental in Liverpool’s efforts to turn the match in their favour.
Both managers, Iraola for Liverpool and Oliver Glasner for Forest, remain hopeful for future matches despite their winless streaks. Glasner expressed pride in his team’s performance despite his disappointment with the result, noting that “It could and probably should have been a win.”
With both teams now looking to regroup, it prompts a question of whether Liverpool will change gears in the next match or if Forest can build on their positive display. As the transfer window remains open, both teams are also eyeing potential new signings to bolster their squads.
Wingers come in different guises and at different prices. On the day Liverpool agreed to pay up to £123m for Bradley Barcola, the man signed for rather less, and with rather less fanfare, again spared Andoni Iraola a first defeat of his reign. On Sunday at Newcastle, Victor Munoz won the penalty that produced Dominik Szoboszlai‘s 99th-minute equaliser. On his Anfield bow, the £34m Spaniard delivered a devastating equaliser.
That both contributions came from the right flank, though he had started on the left against Nottingham Forest, may be pertinent. The presumption is that Barcola will be used on the left. While Liverpool are yet to replace Mohamed Salah, they got two equalisers from the men stationed in his old spot here, with Cody Gakpo affording Alexander Isak a tap-in. The Dutchman is scarcely a right winger and faces an uncertain future at the end of the window. If Munoz had a fine introduction, this could prove Gakpo’s goodbye, and his was a valiant effort.
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An encouraging element for Liverpool is that Iraola has exerted an impact with his changes in each of his first two games. Munoz, who came on at St James’ Park, swapped flanks at Anfield, took Florian Wirtz‘s pass, span and unleashed a vicious shot, even if a deflection off Murillo helped. It may not have been the first example of fine decision-making by Iraola: he pushed for Munoz’s signing when Newcastle were closing in on his signature. “Victor has been very good both games,” said Iraola. “Everything hasn’t been perfect but he tries again and again and again and I like this from the wingers.”
And so his tenure has begun with twin 2-2 draws. If it promises to be fun, at times his Liverpool can be both fast and flawed. Yet this underlined the size of his task if Iraola is to succeed his way. Liverpool had more defensive difficulties, with a susceptibility to the counter-attack again apparent, but with variations on a theme. Newcastle had scored twice by running straight through the heart of Iraola’s team. Forest struck twice courtesy of balls in behind, the first punted 80 yards by goalkeeper Matz Sels; both involved throw-ins, too, the second a quick one by the debutant Liam Delap.
After the Forest striker added to the family tradition of Delap throw-ins, Alisson upended Neco Williams and Morgan Gibbs-White, an increasingly regular scourge of Liverpool, converted the resulting penalty. “It could and probably should have been a win,” said Oliver Glasner. “Very proud of the performance but frustrated and disappointed about the result.” So both new managers remain winless.
Iraola was left frustrated as Liverpool conceded a penalty as he was readying substitutions (Reuters)
It looked a perfect storm for Liverpool; or maybe a Venn diagram of doom. Forest had won on their previous two trips to Anfield. Glasner had beaten Liverpool three times last season with Crystal Palace. Iraola tends to begin slowly in new jobs.
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But they avoided the worst-case scenario and had a point to show for a rather mixed display. “The first half has been poor from our side,” admitted Iraola, who drew more optimism from what followed.
Yet Liverpool again had a high defensive line and a susceptibility to counter-attacks. Glasner, despite his back-to-back losses to Leeds, seemed to be the new manager who had made the more immediate impact.
Morgan Gibbs-White restored Forest’s lead from the penalty spot (Getty)
Liverpool were run ragged by Dan Ndoye and Igor Jesus. Gibbs-White showed there is life after Elliot Anderson for Forest. He played a part in both goals. For the opener, the Liverpool defence, attempting to push up, were caught out by Sels’ long kick to Jesus, before Gibbs-White fed Ndoye to slot in. Alisson made a terrific save to deny Forest a second, tipping Jesus’s shot on to the bar.
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Wirtz had a goal disallowed when Jeremie Frimpong was offside. The German provided more promise than he had at Newcastle, drawing a fine save from Sels after a lovely Gakpo cross, finding the Dutchman in the build-up to the first equaliser and ending with an assist of his own. Isak, though, got his goal, just his second for Liverpool at Anfield in the Premier League.
A subplot in a match where substitutions felt significant was that Iraola was readying a triple change, with Rio Ngumoha about to come on; the manager revealed that Gakpo would have been among those going off.
Wirtz was more effective but there remain big gaps in this Liverpool side (Getty)
Instead, Glasner summoned Delap, fresh from his £45m club-record move from Chelsea. Iraola was aggrieved Liverpool were trying to make a triple change when the forward took the throw. “I wanted to make the subs about three minutes before,” said Iraola. “I don’t have an explanation.” He suggested the fourth official’s board was malfunctioning. So, though, was his defence.
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They look in need of bolstering, though Liverpool are instead adding a winger for a nine-figure sum. Meanwhile, Glasner, set to sign Daniel Munoz and amid Forest interest in Harrison Armstrong, is eyeing more arrivals. “Definitely one, potentially two and probably three,” he said. It could lead to departures. “Definitely one, potentially two and probably three,” he grinned.
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