Liverpool vs Nottingham Forest Result: 2-2 as Muñoz Rescues Reds at Anfield

Liverpool vs Nottingham Forest result: Liverpool were forced to come from behind twice at Anfield on Saturday, 29 August 2026, as Víctor Muñoz’s thunderous 82nd-minute equaliser rescued a 2-2 Premier League draw against an impressive Nottingham Forest side. Dan Ndoye gave the visitors a deserved first-half lead, Alexander Isak levelled on the hour, Morgan Gibbs-White restored Forest’s advantage from the penalty spot and Muñoz finally dragged Andoni Iraola’s team level for a second time.

The scoreline gave Liverpool a second consecutive 2-2 draw at the start of Iraola’s Premier League reign and left the new head coach still waiting for his first league victory. For Forest and Oliver Glasner, the disappointment of surrendering two leads was balanced by a much stronger performance after consecutive home defeats by Leeds United in league and cup competition. Forest took their first Premier League point of the campaign and showed why their new 3-4-2-1 structure can cause high-level opponents serious problems.

Liverpool vs Nottingham Forest Result and Match Summary

Liverpool controlled possession but Forest created the clearer openings. The hosts had 70 per cent of the ball and 13 attempts to Forest’s 12, yet the visitors produced 2.30 expected goals compared with Liverpool’s 1.61 and created four big chances to one.

Forest led after 24 minutes when a direct move starting with goalkeeper Matz Sels bypassed Liverpool’s pressure. Igor Jesus helped the ball into Morgan Gibbs-White, whose pass released Dan Ndoye to finish low beyond Alisson.

Florian Wirtz then had an equaliser ruled out because Jeremie Frimpong was offside in the build-up. Liverpool improved after the interval and levelled on 60 minutes when Cody Gakpo escaped pressure on the right and crossed for Alexander Isak to tap in.

Forest regained the lead after Neco Williams attacked a quickly taken throw-in and was brought down by Alisson. Gibbs-White converted the resulting 70th-minute penalty, before Muñoz’s superb 82nd-minute strike from the inside-right channel rescued Liverpool.

Match Details

• Competition: Premier League
• Matchweek: Matchweek 2
• Date: Saturday, 29 August 2026
• Venue: Anfield, Liverpool
• Final score: Liverpool 2-2 Nottingham Forest
• Half-time: Liverpool 0-1 Nottingham Forest
• Goals: Dan Ndoye 24′, Alexander Isak 60′, Morgan Gibbs-White 70′ pen, Víctor Muñoz 82′
• Referee: Sam Barrott
• Attendance: 60,415

Forest Expose Liverpool’s Slow Start

The opening half exposed the main issue Liverpool must solve under Iraola. Their attacking quality was evident, but the work without the ball lacked the compactness and aggression required by the coach’s high-intensity model. Forest repeatedly found routes around the first pressure and into the spaces behind Liverpool’s midfield and full-backs.

Glasner used a 3-4-2-1, with Murillo, Nikola Milenkovic and Matheus Cunha behind wing-backs Ola Aina and Neco Williams. Xaver Schlager and James McAtee gave the visitors energy centrally, while Gibbs-White and Ndoye supported Igor Jesus.

Williams produced an important early recovery tackle on Gakpo, while Aina and Ndoye helped create a close-range chance for Igor Jesus that Jérémy Jacquet blocked. Forest did not need long spells of possession; they were more dangerous when they played forward early and attacked Liverpool before the hosts could reset.

Ndoye Gives Forest a Deserved Lead

The opening goal captured Forest’s direct threat. After Liverpool cleared a corner, Sels drove the ball back upfield. Igor Jesus protected it under pressure, Gibbs-White recognised Ndoye’s run and the Swiss attacker guided a precise low finish beyond Alisson.

Liverpool briefly thought they had answered when Wirtz turned and finished neatly, but VAR found Frimpong offside earlier in the move and the goal was overturned. Wirtz later tested Sels and Muñoz fired narrowly wide, yet Forest still carried the greater first-half danger.

Shortly before the interval, Aina escaped down the right and cut the ball back for Igor Jesus. Alisson’s reflex save prevented Forest from taking a two-goal advantage into half-time and kept Liverpool within one decisive moment of the visitors.

Liverpool Raise the Intensity After Half-Time

Iraola later acknowledged that Liverpool had been too passive in the first half. The second period looked much closer to his preferred football: the distances became shorter, the press more aggressive and the ball moved with greater urgency.

That shift helped Wirtz receive closer to Forest’s defensive line and gave Gakpo more opportunities to attack from the right. Liverpool’s equaliser on 60 minutes followed their sharpest move of the afternoon. Wirtz moved possession into Gakpo, who turned away from two defenders and swept a low ball across the six-yard area for Isak to finish at the far post.

Isak had been quiet for long spells, but the goal illustrated the value of early service into the penalty area. Liverpool’s increased pressure had finally created the type of close-range chance their striker could exploit.

The Penalty Changes the Match Again

Liverpool appeared to have taken control after Isak’s equaliser, but Forest responded with one of the game’s most important examples of alertness. Substitute Liam Delap took a quick throw-in and Williams immediately attacked the space before Liverpool were properly organised.

Williams reached the ball inside the area before Alisson, who made contact with the former Liverpool defender after failing to play the ball cleanly. Barrott awarded the penalty and the Premier League Match Centre later confirmed that VAR upheld the decision after checking the goalkeeper’s challenge.

Gibbs-White took responsibility and sent the spot-kick past Alisson to restore Forest’s lead in the 70th minute. For Glasner, the move reinforced what had worked throughout the afternoon: direct action, quick decisions and an insistence on attacking whenever Liverpool’s defensive shape was unsettled.

There was additional frustration for Iraola because Liverpool had been trying to make a triple substitution before the penalty sequence. The head coach said afterwards that the changes had been requested but delayed, apparently because of problems with the electronic substitution board. Whatever the administrative confusion, Liverpool still had to defend the quick restart and failed to do so.

Muñoz Announces Himself at Anfield

Muñoz’s full Liverpool debut had included mistakes, fouls and difficult defensive moments, but he kept demanding the ball. That persistence was rewarded in the 82nd minute with the best finish of the game.

Wirtz received between the lines and found Muñoz in the inside-right channel. The winger used his first movement to turn into space before unleashing a rising right-footed drive across Sels. The ball struck the underside of the crossbar and bounced in, giving the goalkeeper almost no chance.

The finish transformed the mood inside Anfield and gave Liverpool a final opportunity to chase all three points. Dominik Szoboszlai later sent a free-kick wide, while Forest defended a series of late deliveries with discipline. There was no third comeback goal.

For Muñoz, the equaliser represented a significant early moment in his Liverpool career. The 23-year-old had already contributed to the late penalty won at Newcastle on the opening weekend and was voted Liverpool’s player of the match by the club’s supporters after scoring on his first Premier League start.

Tactical Analysis: Why Forest Troubled Liverpool

The possession numbers favoured Liverpool, but Forest’s 2.30 xG and four big chances better reflected the danger of their performance. Glasner was prepared to concede harmless possession in exchange for central protection, duels and opportunities to attack before Liverpool could recover their shape.

Forest’s back three gave them cover against Isak, while Williams and Aina could jump aggressively from wing-back. Schlager and McAtee disrupted Liverpool’s central progression, and Gibbs-White became the main connector whenever Forest played forward.

Liverpool’s 4-2-3-1 improved once the counter-press became more aggressive. Wirtz received higher, Gakpo isolated defenders and the hosts sustained more pressure around the area. The weakness remained defensive transition: Forest’s first goal came after Liverpool failed to reset following a clearance, while the second followed a quick throw-in caught the hosts unprepared.

That balance is Iraola’s early challenge. Liverpool have shown enough individual quality to recover from difficult positions, but repeatedly needing comebacks is not a sustainable route to Premier League wins.

Key Performers

Víctor Muñoz supplied Liverpool’s defining moment, continuing to demand the ball even after an uneven start. His 82nd-minute finish was a spectacular first Anfield goal.

Florian Wirtz became increasingly influential after the break. He had a first-half goal ruled out and later helped unlock Forest for Muñoz’s equaliser.

Cody Gakpo produced Liverpool’s cleanest attacking contribution with the turn and low cross for Isak’s goal.

Morgan Gibbs-White assisted Ndoye’s opener, scored the penalty and connected Forest’s midfield to the attack.

Neco Williams combined strong recovery defending with aggressive wing-back running and won the penalty through his alert movement from the quick throw-in.

What the Managers Said

Iraola admitted Liverpool’s first half was not good enough and said the team improved when it played with greater intensity and aggression. He praised Muñoz’s persistence but was frustrated that another comeback produced only one point.

Glasner said he was proud of Forest’s performance and chance creation while disappointed that two leads did not become a victory. He also stressed that the 3-4-2-1 structure is still developing.

Isak highlighted Liverpool’s adaptation to a new style and expressed confidence that results will improve as the players become more comfortable with Iraola’s demands.

Match Statistics

Starting Line-ups

Liverpool (4-2-3-1): Alisson; Jeremie Frimpong, Jérémy Jacquet, Virgil van Dijk, Milos Kerkez; Alexis Mac Allister, Dominik Szoboszlai; Cody Gakpo, Florian Wirtz, Víctor Muñoz; Alexander Isak.

Nottingham Forest (3-4-2-1): Matz Sels; Matheus Cunha, Nikola Milenkovic, Murillo; Ola Aina, Xaver Schlager, James McAtee, Neco Williams; Dan Ndoye, Morgan Gibbs-White; Igor Jesus.

What the Result Means for Liverpool

Liverpool have two points from their opening two league matches, both 2-2 draws in which they came from behind twice. The resilience is encouraging, but the repeated slow starts are a warning. Iraola wants an aggressive, front-foot team and Liverpool still need to make that intensity consistent across 90 minutes.

There are attacking positives: Isak is off the mark, Muñoz has made an immediate impact and Wirtz became more influential as the contest developed.

What the Result Means for Nottingham Forest

Forest’s first league point under Glasner provides encouragement after a difficult opening week. They did not merely survive at Anfield; they created the better chances, led twice and came close to another significant victory on Merseyside.

The new shape already has clear strengths through the wing-backs, Gibbs-White between the lines and direct service into Igor Jesus. The next task is maintaining that level for the full match.

What Comes Next?

Liverpool travel to Portman Road to face Ipswich Town on Friday, 4 September, with kick-off scheduled for 20:00 BST. Iraola will again be searching for his first Premier League win as Liverpool head into their third league fixture.

Nottingham Forest return to the City Ground on Saturday, 5 September, when they host Tottenham Hotspur. After the quality of their Anfield performance, Glasner’s side will view that match as another opportunity to turn encouraging signs into their first league victory of the season.