Munoz Rescues A Point For Liverpool As Forest Hold Reds

Liverpool Player Ratings vs Nottingham Forest: Munoz Rescues Reds in 2-2 Draw

Liverpool are still waiting for the first Premier League victory of the Andoni Iraola era after Nottingham Forest twice took the lead at Anfield, only for the hosts to recover and salvage a 2-2 draw.

There were flashes of the football Liverpool are trying to produce under their new head coach, particularly after the interval. There were also enough defensive problems to explain why Iraola’s side have taken two points from their opening two Premier League matches.

Dan Ndoye opened the scoring for Nottingham Forest before Alexander Isak equalised on 59 minutes. Morgan Gibbs-White restored Forest’s advantage from the penalty spot, leaving Victor Munoz to rescue Liverpool with a deflected finish nine minutes from time.

Liverpool Struggle Through Difficult First Half

Liverpool lacked rhythm during the opening 45 minutes and Nottingham Forest were comfortable exploiting the spaces available to them.

Ndoye’s opener was well taken, while James McAtee and Xaver Schlager gave Forest considerable control in midfield. Neco Williams also produced an impressive performance on his return to Anfield.

Iraola acknowledged Liverpool’s problems afterwards.

“We were poor in the first half. We improved a lot our performance in the second half; we came from behind twice, but I think the first half didn’t allow us to win the game at the end.”

There was certainly greater urgency after the interval. Cody Gakpo, operating from the right, provided the delivery for Isak to equalise, although the Swedish striker remained strangely peripheral for substantial periods.

Munoz Provides Liverpool With Late Lifeline

Liverpool’s defensive vulnerability soon returned.

Williams reacted quickly to a Nottingham Forest throw and escaped into space behind the defence, prompting Alisson Becker to concede a penalty. Gibbs-White converted confidently to make it 2-1.

Munoz eventually supplied Liverpool’s response.

Florian Wirtz found the Spanish winger, whose shot crashed in off the underside of the crossbar following a slight deflection. It was a forceful conclusion to a lively individual performance from the summer signing.

Wirtz was another encouraging presence. He had a goal ruled out following an offside decision against Jeremie Frimpong, tested Matz Sels with a powerful header and created Munoz’s equaliser.

Liverpool Player Ratings

Nottingham Forest