Liverpool 2-2 Nottingham Forest - Premier League Match Report & Player Ratings

Muñoz Equaliser Spares Liverpool's Blushes

Liverpool began their Anfield campaign with a hard-fought, but disappointing 2-2 draw against Nottingham Forest.

Dan Ndoye’s first‑half goal sent the visitors in ahead at the interval. Liverpool hit back after the restart through Alexander Isak, only for Forest to restore their advantage when Morgan Gibbs‑White converted from the spot. Anfield debutant Víctor Muñoz then struck with ten minutes remaining, salvaging a valuable point for Iraola’s side.

After a well-taken equaliser and strong performance, Victor Munoz is your @carlsberg Player of the Match 👏 pic.twitter.com/UfOT14djNp

— Liverpool FC (@LFC) August 29, 2026

Liverpool were frustrated for a large portion of the game with Forest very happy to sit in a 4-5-1 midblock and looking to counter.

The Reds' frustration was further compounded due to the fact that the fourth official was unable to use the electronic subs board, inadvertently leading to Forest's penalty.

Liverpool Goalkeeper Alisson in fact was so furious after the game, that he channelled his anger by kicking and breaking the electronic subs board...

Alisson took his frustration out on the fourth official's board after Liverpool's draw against Nottingham Forest 👀

(via liverpoollfc27/TT) pic.twitter.com/9WWiiq3kAM

— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) August 30, 2026

First Half

The visitors went close on two occasions early on, both involving Dan Ndoye who was a persistent threat throughout.

The most notable chance was one Jérémy Jacquet prevented in the 12th minute, a cross from Forest right-back Ola Aina, headed down by Ndoye to Igor Jesus whose attempt was blocked expertly by the Frenchman.

Forest deservedly took the lead just 12 minutes later as a route one ball (in a quite literal sense) from Forest goalkeeper Matz Sels, completely caught out the Liverpool backline.

Igor Jesus gambled, staying high up the pitch and finding himself onside. He used his brute strength to fend off Mac Allister, laid the ball to Gibbs-White, who slid it into the path of Ndoye. The Swiss man took one touch before opening up his body and expertly slotting the ball past a helpless Alisson.

Unbelievably, that was Ndoye's first Premier League goal since last August when he netted on his debut vs Brentford!

Dan Ndoye scores his first goal in the Premier League in 377 days 🤯 pic.twitter.com/tjSiGoSPyW

— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) August 29, 2026

Less than 10 minutes later, Liverpool thought they had equalised through Florian Wirtz with a lovely finish on the swivel. However, Jeremie Frimpong was deemed offside by VAR in the build-up, hence the goal was chalked off.

The Reds had two further chances. A header from Wirtz from a Gakpo cross, saved by Sels and then a couple of minutes later, Muñoz attempted to find the top right but narrowly fired over.

A world-class save from Alisson in added time kept the score to just one as he denied his fellow countryman Igor Jesus from close range, tipping it onto the crossbar.

Half-time score - Liverpool 0-1 Nottingham Forest

Second Half

Liverpool came out much better, generating the first decent chance after the break. Wirtz found Gakpo down the right before the Dutchman clipped an inviting cross to the far post, which Muñoz headed over.

The twenty-time EPL champions equalised on the hour mark as Wirtz once again freed Gakpo down the right, before the latter fired a delcious ball across the goalmouth, allowing Isak to tap-in from just a few yards out.

Isak equalises for Liverpool at the Kop end! 🔴🔥

📺 Watch live on TNT Sports & HBO Max pic.twitter.com/qKFxq2AqaB

— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) August 29, 2026

Shortly after, Forest were awarded a penalty after a quick throw from subsitiute Liam Delap who found the run of Neco Williams. The Welsh defender was deemed to have been taken down by Liverpool's Alisson inside the penalty area.

Morgan Gibbs-White stepped up for the visitors and converted with aplomb, sending Alisson the wrong way and into the bottom-left corner.

Liverpool clawed back level again in the 82nd minute. The Spaniard was found brilliantly by Wirtz who fired a pass into him in the box. The attacker took the ball on the turn before firing a right-footed shot to the far corner off the underside of the bar.

The home side almost won it late on after a free-kick from Szoboszlai on the left of the box, wizzed just wide of the right post.

That was the last concrete chance from either side in a draw which you could argue both sides deserved in the end.

Full-time score - Liverpool 2-2 Nottingham Forest

Man of the Match - Victor Muñoz

It was a toss-up between a few players. Both Morgan Gibbs-White and Dan Ndoye endured high-level games for Forest, but considering I am a Liverpool correspondent, I have decided to pick the Spaniard who made his first Premier League start.

A fantastic goal as Munoz opens his account for the Reds 🔴🇪🇸 pic.twitter.com/tSSOEPvJ3k

— Liverpool FC (@LFC) August 29, 2026

Muñoz was persistent throughout and showed moments of promise on either flank, although admittedly he was more effective on the right, which is where his goal came from.

An honourbale mention for Florian Wirtz who I thought had one of his most promising games in a Liverpool shirt.

Bad Day at the Office

Where do I begin?

The fullback situation at Liverpool is worrying to say the least and myself and most people inside Anfield felt as if both Milos Kerkez and Jeremie Frimpong endured a torrid time.

Neither possesses the technical ability nor game intelligence to play that role to a high standard, and both were exploited time and again, leading to their double substitution.

🚨🚨| STAT: Kerkez + Frimpong have 1 successful cross from 13 attempts in the first 2 PL games.

[@OptaAnalyst] pic.twitter.com/49FHn5nw0y

— Living Liverpool (@Livin_Liverpool) August 29, 2026

Dominik Szoboszlai was another not at the races, giving the ball away on countless occassions and at times running like a headless chicken. I did think he was better when he was moved to right-back however as Liverpool were a lot more balanced.

Player Ratings

Alisson Becker - 6/10: A mixed bag for the Brazilian. Made some valuable saves, however, gave away a penalty for a foul on Neco Williams (very soft in my opinion).

Jeremie Frimpong - 2/10: By far Liverpool's poorest performer on the day. Struggled defensively and also offensively as he was unable to beat the first man with his crosses despite being in some promising positions.

Jérémy Jacquet - 6/10: Made a goal-saving challenge early on to deny Jesus however was also the player who kept the Brazilian onside for Forest's opener.

Virgil Van Dijk - 6/10: A steady game from the captain, nothing out of this world but also wasn't individually at fault for anything.

Milos Kerkez - 3/10: Sloppy in possession and, like his fullback partner, struggled defensively at times.

Dominik Szoboszlai - 4/10: No pass appreciation from Liverpool's 25/26 POTS as he too gave the ball away countless times. Looked miles off it and if anything, this game suggests his future doesnt lie in a midfield double pivot.

Alexis Mac Allister - 5/10: Was okay although wasn't outstanding as I've heard a few fans claim. Helped Liverpool progress the ball vertically, however the same issues persist when Liverpool turn the ball over.

Florian Wirtz - 7/10: Often the scapegoat of Liverpool's poor performances, I thought Wirtz today showed how good he can be for Iraola. I wish the other midfielders trusted him more. Got the assist for the Muñoz equaliser and was unlucky to see his goal ruled out.

Gody Gakpo - 6/10: I thought he had a pretty good game considering he was deployed out of position. A few wayward crosses but his dribbling was great, allowing him to get to the touchline and cut the ball back. Got the assist for Isak's tap-in too.

Victor Muñoz - 8/10: Liverpool's best and most impactful player on the day. Had a few chances and was a constant threat. Took his goal really nicely. Very lively and energetic, not a bad way to start life on Merseyside.

Alexander Isak - 6/10: Minimal touches in the game but he did leave with a goal which is more than can be said for most times he has put on a Liverpool shirt.

Substitutes

Kostas Tsimikas - 5/10: Was better than Kirkez if that's anything to go off.

Rio Ngumoha - 5/10: Okay in moments but struggled initially when he played off the right. Much more involved when he switched flanks.

Ryan Gravenberch - 5/10: Similar to Mac Allister, the Dutchman was just alright. There was more balance when him and Nyoni played together.

Ronald Araújo - 5/10: The Uruguyan was very tenacious, maybe a bit much so on some ocassions but I thought his intention to play forwards was good.

Trey Nyoni - 5/10: Struggled a bit with the physicality, but you can tell the lad has a special something on the ball. Very calm, always looking to progress. Please see more minutes!

What Next for Liverpool?

The Reds have a trip down to Suffolk next Friday as they play an Ipswich Town side looking to bounce back from their 5-2 defeat to Man Utd.

A win is crucial for Iraola and Liverpool and they hope to have Bradley Barcola available although at the expense of Cody Gakpo, who seemingly looks on his way out.

For the sake of Liverpool's season lets hope a few more new signings are on show.