It was another dramatic afternoon at Anfield as Liverpool and Nottingham Forest played out a pulsating 2-2 draw in the Premier League’s early kickoff on August 29, 2026. Both sides, led by new managers Andoni Iraola and Oliver Glasner, remain in search of their first league win of the season after a contest packed with twists, standout debuts, and moments of controversy.
With anticipation swirling around Iraola’s Liverpool project, the home crowd was eager to see signs of progress following last weekend’s 2-2 draw at Newcastle. The manager made two changes from that match, handing Spain forward Victor Munoz his full debut and bringing in Alexis Mac Allister at the expense of Ryan Gravenberch and Rio Ngumoha. The starting XI featured Alisson in goal, a backline of Van Dijk, Jacquet, and Kerkez, with Frimpong and Wirtz supporting in wider roles. Szoboszlai, Isak, Mac Allister, Gakpo, and Munoz rounded out a lineup that hinted at attacking intent but also ongoing experimentation.
Forest, meanwhile, arrived at Anfield after back-to-back defeats to Leeds—first in the Premier League, then in the Carabao Cup. Glasner, who had already voiced his frustration with the club’s difficult start, again placed his faith in a largely unchanged squad. The visitors lined up with Matz Sels in goal, a defense marshaled by Ousmane Diomande, Nikola Milenkovic, and Murillo, and a midfield featuring Ola Aina, Xaver Schlager, Nicolás Domínguez, and Neco Williams. Dan Ndoye, Morgan Gibbs-White, and Igor Jesus led the line, with Domínguez stepping in for the injured Ibrahim Sangaré.
The match began at a frenetic pace, with Forest showing little sign of nerves despite their poor start to the campaign. Just past the midway point of the first half, they stunned the Anfield faithful. A simple long ball over the top caught Liverpool’s defense flat-footed, and Gibbs-White threaded a perfectly weighted pass to Dan Ndoye, who slotted calmly past Alisson to give Forest a deserved lead. The visitors, buoyed by their early success, nearly doubled their advantage before halftime, but Alisson produced a crucial save, tipping Igor Jesus’ effort onto the bar in stoppage time.
Liverpool, for their part, struggled to break down Forest’s disciplined shape. They thought they had equalized ten minutes after Ndoye’s opener when Florian Wirtz finished smartly, but the goal was chalked off for offside in the buildup. The frustration in the stands was palpable, and Iraola’s men headed into the break knowing they needed to raise their level.
The second half saw Liverpool emerge with renewed urgency. Their pressure finally paid off on the hour mark when Cody Gakpo, operating from the left, spun his marker and delivered a pinpoint low cross. Alexander Isak, who had been largely quiet until then, arrived at the back post to tap into an empty net and bring Liverpool level. The goal injected life into the home side, who surged forward in search of a winner, but Forest remained a threat on the counter.
Just as Liverpool looked to have seized momentum, disaster struck. A long ball forward was deflected out for a throw-in deep in Liverpool territory. Forest’s new record signing, Liam Delap, and Neco Williams combined quickly to catch Liverpool napping. Alisson raced out to meet Williams but mistimed his challenge, bringing down the wing-back. The referee, Samuel Barrott, pointed straight to the spot—a decision that left the Liverpool players and fans in uproar. The call stood, and Gibbs-White stepped up to send Alisson the wrong way, restoring Forest’s lead with a coolly taken penalty.
Forest fans, now dreaming of a famous win, watched nervously as Liverpool mounted another late assault. With eight minutes remaining, the moment belonged to Victor Munoz. The Spanish winger, making his full debut, latched onto a sharp pass from Wirtz and unleashed a thunderous shot that crashed in off the crossbar, bringing Anfield to its feet. The equalizer capped a memorable first start for Munoz and underlined the potential impact of Liverpool’s summer recruits.
The final minutes saw chances at both ends, but neither side could find a decisive breakthrough. The result leaves both Iraola and Glasner still searching for their maiden victories as Premier League managers with their new clubs. For Liverpool, the draw extends their winless run to two games to start the season, following the stalemate at Newcastle. Forest, meanwhile, will take heart from a much-improved performance after consecutive defeats to Leeds, especially given their struggles on the road in recent years.
After the match, Iraola admitted the growing pains were to be expected, but urged his side to learn quickly. "We need to be less passive and more proactive in key moments," he said, reflecting on the defensive lapses that led to both Forest goals. The manager did, however, highlight the positives: "Wirtz and Isak were each involved in a goal, and Munoz showed exactly why we brought him in. There’s a lot to build on."
Glasner, for his part, was proud but disappointed. "We did so much right for large parts of the match, but to concede late again is frustrating. Williams was outstanding at wing-back, and the whole team showed the fight I want to see," he told reporters. His earlier comments about not being a "messiah" seem apt, but this performance suggests Forest are turning a corner.
Looking at the wider context, Liverpool’s early-season form remains a concern. In their last five matches across all competitions, they have managed just one win, two draws, and two defeats, conceding ten goals while scoring eight. Their defensive vulnerabilities, especially to direct balls and quick set-pieces, will be a key focus for Iraola as he looks to steady the ship.
Forest’s recent record is little better, with two pre-season wins overshadowed by three consecutive losses in competitive fixtures before this draw. Yet their display at Anfield, especially the performances of new signings and the resilience shown after setbacks, offers genuine hope for Glasner’s tenure.
Transfer speculation continues to swirl around Anfield, with the club linked to Brighton’s Yankuba Minteh and Paris Saint-Germain’s Bradley Barcola as the transfer deadline approaches. Whether further reinforcements arrive could prove crucial as Liverpool look to address their lack of depth and defensive frailties.
As the dust settles on another entertaining clash between these historic clubs, both sets of supporters will be left with mixed feelings—encouraged by flashes of attacking promise, but wary of the defensive issues that persist. With the Premier League season still in its infancy, all eyes will be on how Iraola and Glasner adapt in the coming weeks as they chase that elusive first win.