Victor Munoz late strike saves Iraola with 2-2 draw

Victor Munoz scored late to rescue Liverpool in a 2-2 draw against Nottingham Forest at Anfield, sparing Andoni Iraola the shame of losing on his debut as manager. The match was far from comfortable for the Reds. Dan Ndoye and Morgan Gibbs-White struck twice with penalties to put the visitors ahead, setting up a scenario where Forest looked destined to win their third consecutive season at this ground.

Alexander Isak briefly leveled the score in the second half before Munoz's deflected effort saved another point for Iraola in his first two games. The manager admitted he had hoped for something special on his inaugural match at the iconic home, yet the result served as a stark reminder of why Arne Slot was replaced. The Dutchman finished fifth last season after equalling a record with 20 top-flight titles, but a massive transfer spend from twelve months ago has yielded little so far. Full-backs Milos Kerkez and Jeremie Frimpong were substituted off, while Florian Wirtz and Alexander Isak failed to justify their enormous fees.

The defense remained fragile as Forest created numerous chances despite failing to score in their opening two games under Oliver Glasner. Jeremy Jacquet made a brilliant last-ditch block to deny Igor Jesus. Ndoye headed narrowly wide before taking the lead on 24 minutes. Liverpool looked like a shambles at the back when a long punt forward allowed Jesus to bear down on goal. Even after being dispossessed, Gibbs-White teed up Ndoye for an empty net. Wirtz showed flashes of brilliance but could not stamp his authority on the game. His equalizer was ruled out for offside against Frimpong in the buildup. Alisson produced a vital save to deny Ndoye a second goal in first-half stoppage time.

The arrival of Bradley Barcola from Paris Saint-Germains reportedly close at 106 million pounds with an additional 17 million on tap could end Cody Gakpo's time at Anfield. Tottenham and Manchester City are interested, yet Gakpo has been the most effective forward in the opening two games. His inch-perfect cross left Isak with a simple task of tapping home for the equalizer on the hour mark.

Just as momentum shifted to the home side, Forest struck a sucker punch. Liam Delap's quickly taken throw-in caught the Liverpool defense sleeping. Neco Williams was wiped out by Alisson as he raced off his line. Gibbs-White coolly sent the goalkeeper the wrong way from the penalty spot to restore Forest's lead. Iraola emptied his bench to find a response. The decision to sacrifice Gakpo instead of Munoz paid off when Wirtz threaded a through ball for the Spanish international. He blasted it in off the crossbar for his first goal since joining from Osasuna. Neither side could find a decisive goal in a pulsating finale, leaving both Iraola and Glasner awaiting their first win in charge.