Liverpool’s defensive problems continued at Anfield as Victor Munoz’s late deflected strike rescued a 2-2 draw for the Reds against Nottingham Forest.
Forest twice took the lead through Dan Ndoye and Morgan Gibbs-White, but Liverpool fought back on both occasions, with Alexander Isak and Munoz finding the net to deny the visitors a third consecutive Premier League victory at Anfield.
The result spared Andoni Iraola defeat on his Anfield debut as Liverpool manager, but the draw will feel like a missed opportunity for Forest, who were just minutes away from another memorable victory at the stadium.
Iraola had hoped for a special occasion in his first home game at Anfield, but instead saw his side struggle with the defensive issues that have contributed to Liverpool’s difficult start.
Liverpool’s record £450 million spending on new signings 12 months ago is also yet to produce the expected returns. Full-backs Milos Kerkez and Jeremie Frimpong were substituted, while Isak and Florian Wirtz again struggled to make the kind of impact expected from players who arrived for significant transfer fees.
Forest, meanwhile, looked dangerous throughout the game despite failing to score in their opening two matches under Oliver Glasner.
Jeremy Jacquet produced a crucial last-ditch block to deny Igor Jesus, while Ndoye headed narrowly wide before Forest eventually broke the deadlock in the 24th minute.
Liverpool’s defence was exposed by a long ball that sent Jesus towards goal. Although he was eventually dispossessed, Morgan Gibbs-White recovered possession and teed up Ndoye, who calmly fired into the far corner.
Wirtz showed flashes of his quality but was unable to impose himself on the match. The German playmaker thought he had levelled for Liverpool, only for the goal to be ruled out for an offside against Frimpong in the build-up.
Forest nearly doubled their advantage before the interval, but Alisson produced an important save to deny Ndoye in first-half stoppage time.
Liverpool finally found their equaliser on the hour mark. Cody Gakpo, one of the Reds’ most effective forwards at the start of the season, delivered an inch-perfect cross for Isak to tap home.
But just as Liverpool began to build momentum, another defensive lapse allowed Forest to regain the lead.
Forest substitute Liam Delap took a quick throw-in that caught the Liverpool defence sleeping, allowing Neco Williams to advance. Alisson raced from his goal and brought him down, prompting referee Chris Kavanagh to award a penalty.
Gibbs-White kept his composure from the spot, sending Alisson the wrong way to make it 2-1.
Liverpool pushed desperately for another equaliser and were eventually rewarded late in the game when Munoz’s effort took a deflection and found the net, rescuing a point for the hosts.
The draw leaves Liverpool with plenty to address, particularly their defensive organisation and the inconsistent performances of some of their expensive new signings.
The Reds will hope the expected arrival of Paris Saint-Germain winger Bradley Barcola can provide another attacking option. A reported £106 million deal, potentially rising by a further £17 million, is reportedly close to completion.
Barcola’s expected arrival could also raise questions over Cody Gakpo’s future, with Tottenham and Manchester City reportedly interested in the Dutch international.
Liverpool will next travel to Ipswich on Friday, while Forest will look to build on a performance that came close to producing another famous win at Anfield.
