Munoz rescues draw for Liverpool as Iraola rages at bungling officials

Dominic KingSat, August 29, 2026 at 2:06 PM UTC

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Victor Munoz celebrates scoring Liverpool’s second equaliser - Peter Byrne/PA

The complaints about technology and the decisions made by officials will be made by Andoni Iraola in due course but, for the moment, there can only be relief.

With the threat of his first competitive match at Anfield ending in defeat, thanks to a scratchy and disjointed performance, a winger who he did not anticipate seeing out the full match thrashed in a late equaliser to salvage another point for Liverpool’s new head coach.

Víctor Muñoz has not been in the building long and his £40m transfer from Osasuna did not move the dial considerably in a summer when big numbers have dominated the market, but what an important moment it was for him in the 82nd minute to rescue a point against Nottingham Forest.

Liverpool, as was the case at Newcastle, lacked rhythm and understanding and they were second best for much of the game against a Forest team who were looking to make their first mark under their own new manager, Oliver Glasner.

They had led twice, thanks to Dan Ndoye and a Morgan Gibbs-White penalty that had Iraola raging, but Liverpool hauled themselves back into the contest on both occasions, first through Alexander Isak and then, memorably, through Muñoz.

Muñoz had won the penalty that Dominik Szoboszlai smashed in at St James’ Park last weekend to salvage a draw but this goal – a right-footed drive that crashed off the underside of the bar following a jinking run – was even more important.

That Liverpool were chasing a game again was in part thanks to their own shortcomings but, equally, through a bizarre moment in the 70th minute when Iraola was trying to make a three-pronged substitution but could not because a number board was malfunctioning.

Andoni Iraola was furious when the electronic substitutes board malfunctioned

As the officials fumbled on the touchline, Liam Delap took a quick throw in and Neco Williams motored into the penalty area as Liverpool’s defence slept. Alisson Becker, who had made so many crucial saves, arrived a fraction too late, Williams went down and Iraola went berserk.

His mood was compounded when Gibbs-White sent Alisson the wrong way but salvation would arrive thanks to Muñoz, who danced inside and opened his account. Liverpool remain unconvincing – but at least for Iraola they remain undefeated.

Full report to follow...

03:05pm

Iraola reflects on the draw

02:51pm

Forest duo Williams and McAtee speak to TNT Sports

02:37pm

Isak’s post-match thoughts

02:29pm

Gibbs-White’s incredible Forest form continues

The playmaker added another goal and assist to his tally this afternoon.

02:28pm

FT: Liverpool 2 Nottingham Forest 2

Liverpool and Forest are both made to wait for their first Premier League wins of the season as the two sides play out a pulsating 2-2 draw at Anfield.

02:26pm

90+4 min: Liverpool 2 Nottingham Forest 2

Sels calmly comes out to claim a deep cross to relieve the pressure on Forest. Munoz runs back to dispossess Delap and win a free kick, giving Liverpool another chance to launch the ball forward.

02:24pm

90+2 min: Liverpool 2 Nottingham Forest 2

Glasner makes a very late double change as Hudson-Odoi and Dominguez replace McAtee and Igor Jesus.

02:23pm

90 min: Liverpool 2 Nottingham Forest 2

There will be five minutes of added time. Liverpool continue their relentless search for a third goal, while Forest are holding on.

02:21pm

88 min: Liverpool 2 Nottingham Forest 2

It’s wave after wave of Liverpool pressure. Forest are camped inside their own half. Igor Jesus and Delap are chasing every loose ball, but Forest are struggling to get out at the moment.

02:17pm

86 min: Liverpool 2 Nottingham Forest 2

Munoz’s goal has provided another twist in this pulsating encounter. Isak wins a free kick in such dangerous territory and Szoboszlai steps up to take it. The Hungarian slams a venomous effort wide of the far post. Can either side find a late winner?

02:13pm

GOAL! Munoz nets a screamer to drag Liverpool level once again

What an incredible finish! Wirtz threads a delightful pass through to Munoz. With his back to goal, the winger swivels and takes the ball on the outside of Murillo, before smashing a thunderous effort into the roof of the net, which brushes the crossbar on its way in.

02:12pm

80 min: Liverpool 1 Nottingham Forest 2

Igor Jesus does brilliantly to escape Nyoni, before he is pulled to the ground by Arajou, who is booked. It’s been an excellent defensive effort from Forest.

02:10pm

77 min: Liverpool 1 Nottingham Forest 2

Iraola makes his final two alterations as Araujo and Nyoni replace Jacquet and Mac Allister.  Szoboszlai then swings such an inviting delivery into the penalty area, but Isak miscues his strike with his left foot.

02:06pm

73 min: Liverpool 1 Nottingham Forest 2

Amid the chaos, Alisson was booked just before the penalty after appealing the decision and Iraola has ordered a triple change, taking off Kerkez, Frimpong and Gakpo for Tsimikas, Gravenberch and Ngumoha. This has seen Szoboszlai move out to right back.

Andoni Iraola is about to make his substitution and this is interesting because he had planned to introduce Rio Ngumoha, Kostas Tsimikas and Ryan Gravenberch 10 minutes ago but told them to sit down after Liverpool had equalised. Forest have put Liam Delap on, giving him his debut after completing his £45m move to the club.

02:03pm

GOAL! Gibbs-White slams the penalty into the corner

The Forest captain sends Alisson the wrong way, powering a clinical penalty into the net. Gibbs-White demonstrates fantastic composure and Liverpool have it all to do again.

02:00pm

PENALTY! Out of nowhere, Forest win a spot kick

Delap showcases excellent initiative and takes a quick throw-in to send Williams through on goal. Alisson rushes out and catches Williams as he attempts to lob the goalkeeper. Williams crashes to the ground and the referee points to the spot. Alisson is furious. What a chance for Forest to restore their lead.

01:57pm

66 min: Liverpool 1 Nottingham Forest 1

This game is being played at a ferocious pace and Forest’s club-record signing Delap enters the action as he replaces Ndoye. Can the former Chelsea striker mark his debut with a much-needed goal?

01:54pm

63 min: Liverpool 1 Nottingham Forest 1

That leveller has injected so much energy into Liverpool. Anfield believes again. Isak really needed that goal.

01:53pm

GOAL! Isak taps in an equaliser in front of the Kop

So much credit must go to Gakpo. The winger shrugs off Williams and fires a pinpoint cross towards the back post. Isak is there and converts from close range. We’re set up for such an intriguing finale. Liverpool have the momentum now.

01:50pm

59 min: Liverpool 0 Nottingham Forest 1

Wirtz’s frustrating afternoon is compounded as he picks up a booking after hauling Murillo to the ground. Iraola looks to be readying some substitutions.

01:49pm

58 min: Liverpool 0 Nottingham Forest 1

There is a very strange feeling here: it’s almost a case of the home fans waiting for Nottingham Forest to score a second goal rather than anticipating that Liverpool will equalise. The early buzz in the atmosphere has gone and that is because the gaps everyone can see in the make up of the team remain. How Bradley Barcola will transform this situation?

01:48pm

56 min: Liverpool 0 Nottingham Forest 1

Jacquet’s pass is intercepted and Ndoye is released on the counter. He’s guided out wide by Van Dijk but still squeezes in a brilliant cross. Gibbs-White was running up the pitch in support and slowed down, meaning no one was there to turn in Ndoye’s delivery.

01:46pm

54 min: Liverpool 0 Nottingham Forest 1

Munoz is the next player to be booked after reacting angrily to a decision. Iraola has to consider making some changes soon.

01:42pm

50 min: Liverpool 0 Nottingham Forest 1

Aina catches Munoz with a late challenge and he’s the second Forest player to go into the referee’s book.

01:41pm

49 min: Liverpool 0 Nottingham Forest 1

You can already see in this second half that there is acres of space for Forest to exploit on the counter as Liverpool push for a leveller. Munoz then heads a point-blank header over the bar. Luckily for the Spaniard, the offside flag was up against Gakpo.

01:37pm

46 min: Liverpool 0 Nottingham Forest 1

We are back for the second half here at Anfield. Can Liverpool find a route back into this game or can Forest hold onto the three points?

01:35pm

Work to do for Liverpool

It’s a bizarre situation for Liverpool. They could easily be level or be 2-0 down. But they trial just 1-0 at half-time. Wirtz and Gakpo are looking lively, but Isak has struggled to influence the game.

Isak has been on the periphery this afternoon - ADAM VAUGHAN/EPA/Shutterstock Editorial

01:33pm

Ndoye’s goal drought is over

01:30pm

Joy for Ndoye

Ndoye celebrates after scoring the game’s opening goal - Jon Super/AP

01:22pm

HT: Liverpool 0 Nottingham Forest 1

Forest have a slender one-goal advantage at the break after a frantic first half at Anfield. Ndoye curled the visitors into a well-deserved lead after 24 minutes, before Wirtz had a goal ruled out for offside. The German was then sensationally denied by Sels’ diving save as he tipped Wirtz’s header over the bar. Alisson then replicated Sels’ heroics, parrying Igor Jesus’ strike against the woodwork to stop Forest from doubling their lead.

Nottingham Forest’s Ndoye scores his side’s first goal of their Premier League season - Peter Byrne/PA

01:19pm

45+3 min: Liverpool 0 Nottingham Forest 1

What a move and what a save! Murillo sprays an inch-perfect pass out to Aina, who chops inside of Munoz and fires a low cross into Igor Jesus. The Forest striker shoots first-time from inside the penalty area, but his effort is sensationally parried onto the bar by Alisson. That is a world-class stop from the Brazilian goalkeeper.

01:17pm

45 min: Liverpool 0 Nottingham Forest 1

Igor Jesus receives the game’s first yellow card after clipping Mac Allister with an unnecessary challenge.

Liverpool then fly forward again as Gakpo nutmegs Williams. His cross trickles through to Munoz at the back post. The ball is slightly behind Munoz and he leans back before shooting, causing his strike to narrowly sail over the bar.

There will be three minutes of added time to conclude this first half.

01:14pm

42 min: Liverpool 0 Nottingham Forest 1

Liverpool are applying all the pressure at the end of this first half. At times, Forest have had every outfield player behind the ball.

01:10pm

39 min: Liverpool 0 Nottingham Forest 1

Sels makes a superb save! Gakpo takes on his marker on the outside and fires in a cross which Wirtz meets. The attacker gets in between Schlager and Aina to win the header, but his effort is excellently tipped over the bar by Sels.

01:04pm

NO GOAL! Wirtz finds an equaliser for Liverpool but its ruled out for offside

Out of nothing, Liverpool are level. McAtee attempts to play out from a deep position and his pass is intercepted by Wirtz. The ball breaks to Frimpong, who slips a clever pass to Wirtz. The German playmaker swivels and slides a low effort into the bottom corner. It’s a brilliant finish, but Frimpong was in an offside position before he provided the assist. VAR confirms this and Liverpool’s joy has been cut short. That is a huge let off for Forest, who need to be more careful with possession in deeper areas.

01:02pm

31 min: Liverpool 0 Nottingham Forest 1

Following that Forest goal, there was a small flurry of Liverpool pressure, with Szoboszlai having a free kick punched away by Sels. Murillo is then very careless with the ball and is dispossessed. This allowed Mac Allister to play in Isak, but the striker is crowded out by multiple Forest defenders before he can get a shot away.

12:59pm

28 min: Liverpool 0 Nottingham Forest 1

For the third season in a row, Nottingham Forest lead at Anfield. The goal had been coming, too. Liverpool were bright early but suddenly big gaps have started appearing and Forest are wily enough to exploit. There are lots of gripes around the stands about it being “too easy” and this knowledgeable crowd are right. A long ball forward and a simple flick has caused mayhem.

12:56pm

GOAL! Ndoye opens the scoring for Forest

Forest are ahead and are well worth their lead. Sels launches a long ball up to Igor Jesus, who takes it down with an exquisite touch. The ball then breaks to Gibbs-White. The Forest captain plays in Ndoye and the winger curls a clinical effort into the far bottom corner to send the away support wild.

12:54pm

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22 min: Liverpool 0 Nottingham Forest 0

Liverpool are struggling to find any space in and around Forest’s midfield and defence. Isak and Wirtz have been on the periphery as the time ticks over midway point of the first half.

12:52pm

20 min: Liverpool 0 Nottingham Forest 0

Huge chance for Forest! McAtee drops deep and picks out Ndoye with a teasing cross. The forward meets the delivery and his header bounces wide. Upon the replays, there looks to have been a push on Frimpong by Ndoye. The referee’s whistle wasn’t sounded so it would have been interesting to see what would of happened if that chance had been converted.

12:48pm

17 min: Liverpool 0 Nottingham Forest 0

Gibbs-White and Mac Allister tussle for possession - Jan Kruger/Getty Images Europe

Jacquet has been busy in the early stages at Anfield - Jon Super/AP

12:45pm

14 min: Liverpool 0 Nottingham Forest 0

It’s been a really frantic start to this game. Out of possession, Forest are retreating into a really rigid back five formation. Going forward, Aina and Williams are getting up the pitch at every opportunity.

12:43pm

11 min: Liverpool 0 Nottingham Forest 0

Aina stands up an inviting cross to the back post for Ndoye, who heads it back into the danger zone. Igor Jesus latches onto it, but Jacquet makes a goal-saving tackle to block the striker’s close-range effort.

12:41pm

9 min: Liverpool 0 Nottingham Forest 0

Van Dijk clips a long ball over to the onrushing Isak as Liverpool look to burst forward on the counter. Isak races onto it and enters the penalty area, but he’s chased by Jair Cunha who matches the striker for pace. There’s a shoulder-to-shoulder, and the Forest defender bumps Isak off the ball, before Milenkovic comes back to mop up the danger.

12:40pm

7 min: Liverpool 0 Nottingham Forest 0

Ndoye attempts to sprint in behind Liverpool’s defence. He’s chased by Jacquet and Ndoye can’t quite take the ball under his spell. That is an early warning sign for Liverpool.

The hosts then go up the other end as Mac Allister threads a delightful pass through to Gakpo. The Liverpool forward tries to swivel and shoot, but Williams tracks back and makes a crucial tackle.

12:36pm

4 min: Liverpool 0 Nottingham Forest 0

Frimpong gets in behind Forest’s backline and attempts to pick out Gakpo with a cross aimed towards the back post. However, the ball bobbles and the Liverpool right back overhits his delivery.

12:33pm

2 min: Liverpool 0 Nottingham Forest 0

A very intriguing team selected by Andoni Iraola and one that illustrates his confidence. It could be viewed as big call to drop Ryan Gravenberch and Rio Ngumoha but Victor Munoz and Alexis Mac Allister both made a difference when they were introduced at St James’s Park last Sunday and they warrant their inclusion. Munoz won’t be fit enough to play 90 minutes but it will be fascinating to watch him, particularly as Bradley Barcola will soon arrive to play in the same position on the left flank.

12:32pm

Kick-off

We are now under way at Anfield. Can Iraola mark his first competitive home game with a win or will Glasner get up and running with Forest?

12:30pm

A tribute to Kevin Keegan

A roaring rendition of You’ll Never Walk Alone has just boomed around Anfield. We will now observe a minute’s applause for Liverpool legend Kevin Keegan, who passed away at the age of 75 in July.

A very poignant and colourful tribute to Kevin Keegan, with Anfield paying its respects to one of its favourite sons. The atmosphere is good and the onus is on the team to maintain it. This won’t be easy, as Nottingham Forest arrive here with a point to prove under Oliver Glasner. The big story with Forest will come later, with their pursuit of Everton’s Harrison Armstrong. It it is a transfer that is causing huge discussion on Merseyside.

12:27pm

The players emerge from the tunnel

Both sets of players are out onto the pitch and are met by an electric atmosphere at Anfield.

12:23pm

The warm-ups are all done

12:19pm

Amit Bhatia is at Anfield

Earlier this month, Liverpool owners Fenway Sports Group announced they had agreed to sell a minority equity stake to 1892 Holdings, a consortium led and managed by Amit Bhatia, who is in attendance at Anfield today.

New Liverpool investor Amit Bhatia (second from the left) and Lakshmi Mittal (right) before the Premier League match at Anfield, Liverpool. - Peter Byrne/PA

On the development, Bhatia told Liverpool’s website: “It feels incredible. It feels surreal when I hear those words, obviously an incredibly proud moment for myself, for my family, for our partners. We’re talking about Liverpool Football Club here, right? I mean, we’re talking about the greatest football club in the world. And so to have the ability to be involved in any capacity is a huge privilege and a huge honour.”

12:09pm

Cody Gakpo is an interesting case

Having been linked to both Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City, Cody Gakpo’s Liverpool future has looked doubtful at points this summer.

However, Spurs’ signings of Savinho and Omar Marmoush, as well as Manchester City’s potentially big-money pursuit of Enzo Fernandez, means that any exit for the Dutchman looks extremely complicated.

Gakpo scored Liverpool’s first equaliser in their chaotic 2-2 draw with Newcastle United and starts today on the left wing.

Cody Gakpo celebrates after netting at St. James’ Park - Scott Heppell/REUTERS

12:00pm

Steven Gerrard is back home

11:59am

When Nottingham Forest finally won at Anfield

In September 2024, Nottingham Forest claimed their first win over Liverpool at Anfield in 55 years thanks to Callum Hudson-Odoi’s sumptuous 72nd-minute curler.

Last season’s emphatic 3-0 victory in the same fixture under Sean Dyche means that Forest have successive wins at a ground where they could notoriously never manage three points.

11:52am

Why Nottingham Forest have broken their transfer record for Liam Delap

Nottingham Forest have smashed their club-record transfer fee to sign Chelsea striker Liam Delap for £50m on a five-year deal, ending a lengthy pursuit by both the club and their head coach Oliver Glasner.

Last summer Delap held talks with Forest and Glasner, while he was in charge at Crystal Palace, before he opted to join his mentor and former Manchester City Under-21 coach Enzo Maresca at Stamford Bridge.

Liam Delap has joined Nottingham Forest after enduring a difficult season at Chelsea - Ritchie Sumpter/Nottingham Forest FC

11:47am

Bradley Barcola is on his way to Liverpool

One of the summer’s most talked about and protracted transfer pursuits is nearing its conclusion as Liverpool have agreed a £120m deal with Paris St-Germain to sign Bradley Barcola.

Bradley Barcola is poised to be Liverpool’s next star-studded attacking addition - Adam Davy/PA

The Frenchman was absent from PSG’s squad on Friday evening as Luis Enrique’s side drew 2-2 with Lille in Ligue 1.

Barcola is yet another big-money addition to Liverpool’s forward line, following on from the signings of Alexander Isak, Florian Wirtz and Hugo Ekitike last summer.

He also has the approval of club legend Steven Gerrard, who is at Anfield on duty for TNT Sports.

11:39am

Oliver Glasner opens up on his decision to join Nottingham Forest

11:37am

Listen to Andoni Iraola’s pre-match thoughts

11:36am

The teams in full

Liverpool: Alisson, Frimpong, Jacquet, van Dijk, Kerkez, Szoboszlai, Mac Allister, Munoz, Wirtz, Gakpo, Isak.

Subs: Mamardashvili, Endo, Tsimikas, Araujo, Gravenberch, Nyoni, McConnell, Koumas, Ngumoha.

Nottingham Forest: Sels, Jair Cunha, Milenkovic, Murillo, Aina, Schlager, McAtee, Williams, Ndoye, Gibbs-White, Igor Jesus.

Subs: John Victor, Diomande, Hudson-Odoi, Dominguez, Wood, Delap, Yates, Netz, Abbott.

Referee: Sam Barrott.

11:35am

Liverpool are also here

11:29am

All smiles for Liam Delap

Liam Delap looks to have settled in very quickly at Nottingham Forest - Peter Byrne/PA

Liam Delap seems to be in very good spirits with his new teammates - Scott Heppell/REUTERS

11:16am

Nottingham Forest team news

Having only joined up with his teammates a couple of days ago, new signing Liam Delap begins his Nottingham Forest career on the bench, with Igor Jesus preferred as the central striker.

11:16am

Liverpool team news

Andoni Iraola has made two changes to the side that drew with Newcastle United. Victor Munoz starts with Rio Ngumoha on the bench. The other alteration sees Alexis Mac Allister replace Ryan Gravenberch in midfield.

11:09am

This round of Premier League fixtures

Friday:

Crystal Palace 1 Manchester City 4

Saturday:

Liverpool vs Nottingham Forest

Bournemouth vs Everton

Coventry City vs Hull City

Tottenham Hotspur vs Newcastle United

Sunday:

Chelsea vs Brighton

Leeds United vs Brentford

Sunderland vs Fulham

Manchester United vs Ipswich Town

Monday:

Aston Villa vs Arsenal

11:04am

Today’s venue

Anfield will host its first Premier League match of the 2026-27 season.

11:00am

A new era is here but both clubs await momentum

Good morning and welcome to our live coverage of this Premier League match between Liverpool and Nottingham Forest at Anfield.

This encounter pits two summer appointments – Andoni Iraola and Oliver Glasner – against each other as they both search for their first top-flight win at their new clubs.

In the opening Premier League game-week, Iraola’s Liverpool needed a last-gasp 99th-minute penalty from Dominik Szoboszlai to rescue an unconvincing 2-2 draw with Newcastle United at St. James’ Park. Meanwhile, Nottingham Forest have suffered back-to-back home defeats in four days against Leeds United without scoring (1-0 Premier League, 2-0 Carabao Cup).

Iraola has been handed the unenviable task of steering Liverpool back on track following a hugely disappointing campaign under Arne Slot, whose side’s defence of their Premier League ended in a meek fifth-place finish despite spending more than £400m in the previous summer.

There is a lot of work for Andoni Iraola to do at Liverpool - Lee Smith/Action Images via Reuters

The former Bournemouth boss must uncover how to get the best out of big-money recruits such as Alexander Isak, Florian Wirtz, Milos Kerkez and Jeremie Frimpong, and also tighten up Liverpool’s vulnerable midfield and defence. Given the pressure of the job and the club’s hectic schedule while balancing domestic and European football, it’s a tough ask. However, Liverpool have agreed a £120m deal for Paris St-Germain winger Bradley Barcola to bolster their attacking reinforcements, but the transfer hasn’t been finalised in time for today’s match.

Last season, Forest endured an equally tumultuous campaign, churning through a staggering four managers, before eventually stumbling to a 16th-place finish. Glasner has been hand-picked by owner Evangelos Marinakis to usher in an era of stability and success, after winning the FA Cup, Community Shield and Conference League in just over two years at Crystal Palace.

We’re still in the very early days of the Oliver Glasner tenure at Nottingham Forest - Mike Egerton/PA

Both Marinakis and Glasner are extremely ambitious and demanding figures. You’d imagine a top-half finish would be considered the absolute minimum for Forest, while Glasner’s track record of winning trophies surely indicates that Marinakis is eyeing some silverware at the City Ground.

It’s a meeting of two managers who must deliver. Three points for either side would serve as a much-needed tonic to kickstart their seasons.

Kick-off is at 12:30, with team news coming shortly.

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