Víctor Muñoz Rescues Liverpool Draw Against Nottingham Forest

Liverpool twice came from behind to draw 2-2 with Nottingham Forest at Anfield on August 29, 2026, leaving manager Andoni Iraola still searching for his first Premier League win. Víctor Muñoz scored a late equalizer on his home debut, canceling out goals from Dan Ndoye and Morgan Gibbs-White.

Anfield Debut Leaves Iraola Awaiting First Victory

Andoni Iraola escaped defeat on his Anfield debut as Liverpool manager thanks to Víctor Muñoz’s late strike, which salvaged a 2-2 draw against Nottingham Forest. The result leaves Liverpool with two draws from two league matches under Iraola, who was appointed this summer after the club followed up its 2025 Premier League title triumph with a disappointing fifth-place finish under Arne Slot last season, despite a £446 million spending spree a year ago.

Morgan Gibbs-White converted a 70th-minute penalty, awarded after Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson fouled Neco Williams in the area, restoring the visitors’ lead at 2-1.

First-Half Breakthrough and Disallowed Goals

Forest opened the scoring in the 24th minute when Switzerland international Dan Ndoye finished off a rapid counterattack. Goalkeeper Matz Sels launched a long ball upfield before Gibbs-White slipped Ndoye through to slot into the bottom corner. The strike marked Ndoye’s first goal in the Premier League since August 2025 against Brentford.

Liverpool thought they had equalized shortly after through Florian Wirtz in the 32nd minute, but the goal was chalked off due to offside following a VAR check that determined Jeremie Frimpong was offside in the build-up. Iraola’s side went into halftime trailing 1-0 while Alisson made a superb save to deny Igor Jesus right before the interval.

Isak and Muñoz Strike to Level the Match

Liverpool finally leveled the score in the 60th minute. Cody Gakpo twisted away from his marker on the right and whipped a low cross across the face of goal, allowing Alexander Isak to tap into an empty net after two Forest defenders failed to make contact.

Liverpool held by Forest on Iraola’s Anfield debut — Photo: Freemalaysiatoday

Isak added, We are really working hard to try to play the game (Iraola) wants us to play, when we start doing that better I have no doubt the results will come as well. After Gibbs-White restored Forest’s lead from the penalty spot, Liverpool responded again in the 82nd minute. Wirtz threaded a pass to Muñoz, who spun and blasted a shot from the edge of the box that went in off the crossbar.

Tactical Changes and Squad Adjustments

Both managers utilized their benches to chase a winner in a pulsating finale. Iraola substituted full-backs Milos Kerkez and Jeremie Frimpong during the second half, bringing on Kostas Tsimikas and Ryan Gravenberch, while also introducing Trey Nyoni, Rio Ngumoha, and Ronald Araújo. Forest manager Glasner deployed new signing Liam Delap from the bench as his side sought to protect their lead.

The match also unfolded against the backdrop of ongoing transfer activity. Liverpool finalized an agreement to sign French forward Bradley Barcola from European champions Paris St-Germain earlier on Saturday, with the 23-year-old set to join Iraola’s squad ahead of their next fixture away at Ipswich on Friday.