Andoni Iraola’s Liverpool twice came back from a goal down to draw 2-2 against Nottingham Forest. With Anfield anticipating the arrival of Bradley Barcola from Paris Saint-Germain, it was another of their summer signings, Victor Munoz, who had the stadium bouncing when he scored a brilliant equaliser with eight minutes to play.
Liverpool had been facing the prospect of a third successive home defeat to Forest when the 23-year-old Spain international winger spun superbly in the box and smashed in a powerful finish.
It was a finish that had looked unlikely after a stale Liverpool performance in the first half. Forest took the lead on 24 minutes when Igor Jesus did well to hold up the ball on the edge of the box after goalkeeper Matz Sels’ deep kick before laying it off to Morgan Gibbs-White. The Forest playmaker slid the ball to Ndoye, who passed it calmly into the net.
Liverpool thought they had levelled through Florian Wirtz but the goal was ruled out by VAR because Jeremie Frimpong was offside in the build-up.
Alexander Isak scored his first of the season (Jan Kruger/Getty Images)
Just as new head coach Iraola was about to make changes, his team equalised. Cody Gakpo spun his man and delivered a superb low cross that Alexander Isak tapped in from close range.
The momentum seemed to be with the home side but it was Forest who retook the lead. Liam Delap, their new signing from Chelsea, came on as a substitute, took a quick throw-in, and Neco Williams latched onto the ball and was felled by goalkeeper Alisson. Gibbs-White converted the penalty.
Then it was Munoz’s moment to shine.
Here Rhodri Cannon, Gregg Evans and Conor O’Neill dissect the key talking points.
Is Victor Munoz the star Liverpool didn’t know they had?
Among the more unheralded arrivals in a lavish summer of Premier League spending, Victor Munoz has made one of the biggest early impacts.
Signed for £34 million from La Liga side Osasuna in June, the zippy winger who spent time in the academies at both Barcelona and Real Madrid has lifted Liverpool out of a difficult start in his opening two games for the club, this time with a thunderous volley.
With his relentless, direct approach, Munoz feels almost like a footballer custom-made for Iraola.
Last weekend against Newcastle, it was his last-gasp burst after coming off the bench that forced Lewis Hall into a clumsy challenge, winning the penalty that Dominik Szoboszlai converted to rescue a point from another 2-2 draw.
Victor Munoz scored a superb goal to secure a draw against Nottingham Forest (Jan Kruger/Getty Images)
Munoz started today but, until his goal, had endured a frustrating afternoon, completing none of his five attempted dribbles. Yet there is an irrepressible quality to the Spaniard, a member of his country’s World Cup-winning squad last month. Those five attempts were more than any other Liverpool player managed, in reflection of his willingness to keep attacking even when things are not quite coming off.
It was that forward thrust that brought the late equaliser, as he received Wirtz’s threaded pass and then produced a magnificent spin to create the space needed to unleash his shot.
It is a long season, but the early signs suggest Liverpool have made a smart move in bringing Munoz to England.
Is this why Liverpool need Bradley Barcola?
Bradley Barcola dominated much of the pre-match discourse at Anfield.
Liverpool have finalised an agreement with Paris Saint-Germain to sign the 23-year-old in a deal worth £106m, plus add-ons that could rise to £17m. His new side’s display against Nottingham Forest suggests they need him to make an immediate impact and energise an enervated team.
Victor Munoz, impressive in his cameo against Newcastle United last weekend, was lively and willing. Although unable to consistently impact proceedings from the left wing, the position Barcola will no doubt assume from now on, his moment of brilliance drew Andoni Iraola’s side level late on, much like he did when he won a penalty in the dying embers of Liverpool’s trip to St James’ Park.
Bradley Barcola’s arrival is eagerly anticipated at Anfield (FRANCK FIFE / AFP via Getty Images)
The France international, albeit facing the same challenges in adapting to a new league and lifestyle as the Spaniard, is expected to be a more dominant, penetrative force in an attack that still lacks both zip and dynamism. Munoz’s equaliser, while memorable, was the only thing of note from the 23-year-old, who had been shackled well by Forest up until that point.
Clear-cut chances were at a premium for Liverpool, who will hope that Barcola’s ability to stretch play will help, something they sorely lacked last season due to Luis Diaz’s exit and Mohamed Salah’s decline, and still do under Iraola. Liverpool clearly need further reinforcements following Barcola, who is carrying a growing weight of expectation before he even sets foot in Merseyside, but the forward has the skill set to solve a few of the problems currently troubling his new side.
Why is Andoni Iraola struggling to impose his style?
A new face is in the dugout, but familiar challenges remain for Liverpool this season. A vulnerability against long balls and difficulties unpicking low blocks ultimately cost Arne Slot his job, and Andoni Iraola ran into those same problems against Forest.
No side faced a higher share of direct passes than Liverpool last season, with 14.8 per cent of opposition passes hit long. And with good reason, given how sluggish they were when it came to pouncing on second balls from those launched passes.
Forest’s opening goal came via the familiar yet remarkably simple route, with Liverpool failing to deal with Igor Jesus’ knockdown after goalkeeper Mats Sels’ long punt upfield.
Andoni Iraola has problems to solve (Oli SCARFF / AFP via Getty Images)
Falling behind encouraged Forest to drop deeper and hold on to their lead, bringing that ineffectiveness against low blocks back into focus. Until Isak’s 60th-minute equaliser, Liverpool were stale in possession, lacking the tempo or purposeful off-ball movement needed to drag Forest’s disciplined back line out of shape.
Iraola has established himself as a head coach who excels in chaotic, end-to-end matches, building his sides around aggressive pressing and rapid counterattacks. But only Manchester City played a higher share of their games against low blocks than Liverpool last season, while Iraola’s Bournemouth ranked just 11th by the same measure. Now in charge of a possession-dominant team, Iraola will need to adapt his approach to be as effective in more controlled game states.
Was this Cody Gakpo’s last game for Liverpool?
The big question is whether this was Cody Gakpo’s last game for Liverpool, and if so, surely they’re making a mistake letting him go.
Granted, Bradley Barcola’s imminent arrival will have a major impact on his playing time, and opportunities on his favoured left side of attack will be reduced.
But Gakpo’s versatility across the front line is crucial, especially with Hugo Ekitike out injured until after Christmas. If Isak needs a break at any point, and history says he will, Gakpo is the ideal replacement.
The Dutchman also showed that he can make an impact on the right side of attack by superbly setting up Isak for his goal.
His strength, quick feet and clever decision-making were crucial in creating an opportunity out of nothing and turning it into a goal. That he has scored and set up another in the opening two games of the season also shows his worth to this team.
Cody Gakpo has been linked with Manchester City and Tottenham (Jan Kruger/Getty Images)
At 27 years old, there’s a nice mixture of experience to blend with remaining potential. The decision to sell Luis Diaz last year looked smart at the time but backfired and it could end up being the same with Gakpo.
There would still be plenty of pace and potential in Rio Ngumoha and Victor Munoz and, of course, the star quality of Barcola, but until Ekitike returns, the front line feels light.
Selling Gakpo would only enhance that so Liverpool need to think really carefully about letting him go.
New season, same problems…
New season, same problems for Liverpool.
How often have we seen the defence flat-footed and struggling to deal with the creative output of their opponents?
Last season, the struggles started at set pieces — both corners and long throw-ins — before moving to long balls over the top and then transitional play. By the end of the campaign there were so many problems across the team that it cost the former head coach, Arne Slot, his job.
Tightening the team up in the months since has not been easy. In the 2-2 draw with Newcastle United, Liverpool were sloppy in possession and gave the ball away far too often.
A quickly-taken throw-in from Liam Delap down Liverpool’s right caught the defence off guard this time and it was symptomatic of their defensive problems. Even with personnel changes, the same problems are occurring. The only positive is that they have the firepower up front to make amends for mistakes.
What did Iraola say?
We will bring you this after he has spoken at the post-match press conference.
What next for Liverpool?
Friday, September 4: Ipswich (Away), Premier League, 8pm UK, 3pm ET
