Liverpool 2 Nottingham Forest 2: Livewire new-boy Victor Munoz snatches late point as Reds twice fight from goal down

VICTOR MUNOZ produced the stunning equaliser that saved Andoni Iraola from humiliation. No Liverpool manager had lost his opening game at home in the Premier League era but the Basque was just eight minutes from doing so as the curse of Nottingham Forest looked like striking Anfield again. Liverpool salvaged another point at the start of the season Credit: Reuters Morgan Gibbs-White scored and assisted for Nottingham Forest Credit: EPA They had won on their last two visits and after Alexander Isak came awake to score, Morgan Gibbs-White looked to have given them a third victory after and a first under new boss Oliver Glasner. But while Liverpool and their fans might be celebrating the capture of PSG’s Bradley Barcola with a deal that could reach a total of £123million agreed, another less celebrated winger became a saviour as £34.5million Munoz popped up for his first goal since arriving from Osasuna. Sign up for the Football newsletter Thank you! Yet the relief Iraola will have felt at the end, having also dodged a bullet in last week’s 2–2 draw with Newcastle, won’t have been able to mask his feelings as he watched his side constantly being ripped apart. The problems he faces were there for all to see as Cody Gakpo looked sleepy, a bit like some of his team mates, after Alexis Mac Allister fired an excellent ball into his feet. A millisecond of hesitation allowed ex–Liverpool wing back Neco Williams, one of the stars of Forest’s fine performance, to clear the danger. Glasner’s side, however, were much livelier going forward and a wake-up call was badly needed in front of Alisson. Jeremy Jacquet, already showing why Liverpool paid £55million to Rennes for him, brilliantly blocked a close-range effort from Igor Jesus after Ola Aina’s looping cross caused panic in the home box. The central defender, 21, was there again combining with Milos Kerkez to block the Brazilian before Ndoye gave notice of his intent as Iraola’s side struggled desperately to contain Forest’s bright-eyed attacks. Most read in Sport BEST ONLINE CASINOS – TOP SITES IN THE UK His header at the far post floated only just wide of the opposite upright but in the 24th minute what had increasingly looked like the inevitable happened. Goalkeeper Matz Sels punted 80 yards to Jesus, who held the ball up then picked out Morgan Gibbs-White who flicked to Ndoye and he rifled his strike past Alisson from 20 yards. It was a good finish, Ndoye’s first goal since the opening day of last season and indeed Forest’s first of the campaign. Yet the defending was strictly of the schoolboy variety – caused mainly because as had been the case almost from kick – off, the Liverpool midfield of Dominik Szoboszlai and Mac Allister were being run ragged. There may be joy that Bradley Barcola will arrive as the marquee signing of Iraola’s first campaign in charge. Yet Arne Slot lost his job last season mainly because of poor defending and similar midfield formations that offered no cover. Almost criminally there has been no arrival of anyone who would be able to guard the back door such as ex-Forest star Elliott Anderson who joined Manchester City for £116million, or Carlos Baleba, signed by Manchester United for £70million. Florian Wirtz thought he’d grabbed a desperately needed equaliser in the 32nd minute – spinning in the box to plant a fine strike beyond Sels. But VAR Michael Oliver ruled out the strike, Jeremie Frimpong marginally offside after springing the attack. Wirtz then saw a fine header dealt with in equally good fashion as Sels tipped over and yet the £100milliom playmaker and his team-mates had created so little heading to the break. While Isak, starved of service but also far too passive in trying to exert any authority, looked like a £130million ghost as part of a ghastly first half team performance. Down at the other end, more carnage right in front of the Kop. Aina, a constant source of trouble, jinked into the box and cut back for Jesus who put his full weight behind his strike. But for the world–class reflexes of Alisson, Forest would doubled their lead, the No1 somehow fisting against the bar. Glasner’s start to life as Forest manager had been miserable, losing twice to Leeds United in the Prem and Carabao Cup. Yet it was almost too easy for his players to cut through and create, with Ndoye outstanding, amidst a defence that had turned into a shambles. Liverpool kept living dangerously with Ndoye remaining as the chief tormentor but there was salvation awaiting for Iraola and especially Isak in the 60th minute. Gakpo finally produced badly – needed invention, delivering the low cross that will only make Tottenham keener to sign him with a £69million bid understood to be incoming. And there at that far post was Isak and with only his ninth touch of the game he couldn’t miss. He grabbed the ball, fisted a salute to the Kop, and suddenly there was a smile from him – as rare as the number of goals he has scored since that British record arrival from Toon. Not that his happiness, or that of anyone wearing red, last long for Forest re-claimed the lead thanks to a decisive 70thminute spot-kick delivery from Gibbs-White. Iraola’s side were again caught napping as Forest’s club record £50million signing Rory Delap, a 66th minute replacement for Ndoye, took a quick throw -in. He found the on – rushing and completely unmarked Williams who charged into the box. Alisson did likewise inside the area and clattered into him and there was no real decision for referee Sam Barrett to make. Munoz came to the rescue, streaking into the Forest area, spinning, and then rocketing home a right footer off the underside of Sels’ bar – but Iraola will have headed down the tunnel knowing that he got lucky. Comment now