Victor Munoz rescued Liverpool with a late equaliser as Andoni Iraola’s first match as manager at Anfield ended in a 2-2 draw against Nottingham Forest.
Forest twice took the lead through Dan Ndoye and Morgan Gibbs-White, but Liverpool responded through Alexander Isak and Munoz to avoid defeat.
The visitors arrived at Anfield searching for a third successive victory at the stadium and caused Liverpool problems throughout an uncomfortable first half for the hosts.
Jeremy Jacquet produced an important last-ditch challenge to stop Igor Jesus before Ndoye headed another opportunity narrowly wide.
Forest’s pressure eventually produced the opening goal in the 24th minute.
A long ball exposed Liverpool’s defence and allowed Jesus to threaten the home goal. Although the striker was eventually stopped, the loose ball reached Gibbs-White, who supplied Ndoye to finish into the far corner.
Liverpool struggled to establish control, with Iraola later admitting his team’s first-half display was below the required level.
It’s quite clear the first half has been poor, we haven’t controlled the game,” Iraola said. “We improved a lot in the second half, much more intense, much quicker on the ball but not enough to win the game.”
Florian Wirtz thought he had brought Liverpool level before half-time, but the goal was ruled out after Jeremie Frimpong was judged offside during the build-up.
Forest could have doubled their advantage before the interval when Ndoye threatened again, only for Alisson to produce a crucial save.
Liverpool returned after the break with greater intensity and found their equaliser on the hour mark.
Cody Gakpo delivered an excellent cross into the penalty area, leaving Isak with a straightforward finish to make it 1-1.
The goal appeared to shift momentum towards Liverpool, but Forest quickly punished another defensive lapse.
New signing Liam Delap caught the hosts off guard with a quickly taken throw-in that released Neco Williams. Alisson rushed from his goal and brought down the former Liverpool defender, giving Forest a penalty.
Gibbs-White remained composed from the spot and sent Alisson the wrong way to restore Forest’s lead.
Liverpool responded by making attacking changes as Iraola searched for another way back into the match.
Munoz remained on the field as Gakpo was withdrawn, and the decision proved decisive.
Wirtz produced an incisive through ball to release the Spanish midfielder, who drove his shot in off the crossbar to score his first Liverpool goal since arriving from Osasuna and make it 2-2.
The equaliser ensured Iraola avoided defeat on his Anfield debut and marked the second time in his opening two matches that Munoz had helped Liverpool salvage a late result.
Forest manager Oliver Glasner was pleased with his team’s performance but disappointed that they failed to convert it into three points.
There are two emotions I think,” Glasner said. “Very proud of the performance and how we played, scoring two goals, but we all feel frustrated about the result because we have the feeling it could and should have been a win.”
The draw nevertheless leaves questions over Liverpool’s defensive stability.
Despite significant investment in the squad, Iraola’s side again looked vulnerable when Forest attacked quickly, with Milos Kerkez and Frimpong both substituted during the contest.
Wirtz showed moments of quality and eventually created the equaliser, while Isak got on the scoresheet, but Liverpool were again forced to recover from behind rather than control the match.
Iraola took over following the departure of Arne Slot, who had guided Liverpool to a record-equalling 20th English top-flight title in 2024/25 before being dismissed after a fifth-place finish the following season.
Liverpool could soon add another attacking option, with French winger Bradley Barcola reportedly nearing a £106 million move from Paris Saint-Germain that could rise by a further £17 million.
His potential arrival could also affect Cody Gakpo’s future, with Tottenham and Manchester City reportedly interested in the Netherlands international.
Liverpool will next travel to Ipswich on Friday as Iraola searches for his first league victory in charge.
