Andoni Iraola escaped defeat on his Anfield debut as Liverpool manager thanks to Victor Munoz’s strike that salvaged a 2-2 draw against c Forest.
The Dutchman led Liverpool to a record-equalling 20th English top-flight title in the 2024/25 campaign but was dismissed after finishing fifth last season. A record £450 million outlay on new signings 12 months ago continues to bear little return on investment as full-backs Milos Kerkez and Jeremie Frimpong were subbed off, while Isak and Florian Wirtz again struggled to make the impact expected for enormous transfer fees.
“It’s quite clear the first half has been poor, we haven’t controlled the game,” said Iraola. Alexander Isak briefly brought Liverpool level in the second half before Munoz’s deflected effort rescued a late point for the second time in Iraola’s two matches in charge. “We improved a lot in the second half, much more intense, much quicker on the ball but not enough to win the game. And Liverpool remain brittle at the back as a Forest side that failed to score in their opening two games under Oliver Glasner created an abundance of chances.
The German playmaker was denied an equaliser when his goal was ruled out for offside against Frimpong in the build-up.
“There are two emotions I think,” said Glasner. “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.”
