Liverpool vs Nottingham Forest: Iraola Seeks First Win at Anfield

Anfield finally wakes up to Premier League football on Saturday lunchtime, and Andoni Iraola is still waiting for his first league win in charge of Liverpool.

A chaotic 2-2 draw at Newcastle offered promise and problems in equal measure. Now comes Nottingham Forest, beaten by Leeds United on the opening weekend but with just enough recent success at this ground to believe they can cause trouble.

Anfield’s first look at Iraola’s Liverpool will be incomplete. Conor Bradley, Hugo Ekitiké, Joe Gomez, Jayden Danns and Giovanni Leoni are all ruled out through injury, while Curtis Jones is a doubt with a groin issue and faces a race against time to be involved.

There is intrigue off the pitch too. Bradley Barcola is closing in on a £120 million move from Paris Saint-Germain, a statement signing in every sense, but the timing works against any early unveiling on the pitch. Even if the paperwork lands in time, his debut is expected to wait until next week’s trip to Ipswich Town rather than this Forest clash.

So the focus turns to those already in the building.

Victor Muñoz changed the mood at St James’ Park, coming off the bench to win the stoppage-time penalty that salvaged a point. That single intervention has thrust him into the selection debate. His sharp cameo has put real pressure on Rio Ngumoha, the 18-year-old prodigy who actually turns 18 on matchday and could now find himself watching from the bench if Iraola opts for experience over youthful spark.

At the back, the new manager is unlikely to stand still. He is expected to tweak his defence, with Jérémy Jacquet in line to continue alongside Virgil van Dijk at the heart of a back four that still looks like a work in progress rather than a finished product. Anfield will see soon enough whether that partnership can offer the control that was missing in spells at Newcastle.

Cody Gakpo, though, has done everything to keep his place. He scored on the opening day and, despite persistent transfer noise linking him with Tottenham and Manchester City, he is expected to stay on the left of the attack. For now, the rumours stay off the teamsheet.

Behind the front line, Ryan Gravenberch and Dominik Szoboszlai are set to continue as the central pillars of Iraola’s midfield, asked to both protect and create in a system that demands energy and courage on the ball.

Up top, this Liverpool side is being built around Alexander Isak. The tall, elegant forward leads the line again, with Muñoz, Florian Wirtz and Gakpo likely to operate in support in a fluid 4-2-3-1.

Liverpool’s predicted XI (4-2-3-1)

Alisson; Frimpong, Van Dijk, Jacquet, Kerkez; Gravenberch, Szoboszlai; Muñoz, Wirtz, Gakpo; Isak.

Forest arrive under pressure after that opening defeat to Leeds, but with memories of recent positive results at Anfield to cling to. They know this stadium can be unsettled if the visitors dig in, frustrate, and land the first punch.

Kick-off is at 12:30 on Saturday, 29 August 2026, with the game broadcast live on TNT Sports 1 and TNT Sports Ultimate in the UK.

A new manager, a restless fanbase, a blockbuster signing on the way and a dangerous visitor in town — Liverpool’s home season starts with questions. The answers, for Iraola, need to start coming quickly.