Iraola’s Anfield Debut: Liverpool vs Nottingham Forest Preview
Andoni Iraola walks out at Anfield for the first time as Liverpool manager on Saturday, and the assignment could hardly be more loaded: Nottingham Forest, the side that humiliated Liverpool 3-0 on this ground last season.
That defeat still lingers. So does the sense of unease after the opening-day 2-2 draw at Newcastle United.
Liverpool’s Bright Chaos
Liverpool’s start at St James’ Park was chaotic and compelling in equal measure. They were accused of lacking intensity and clear ideas in attack, and of looking disjointed and fragile at the back. The criticism was loud.
The numbers told a different story. Liverpool generated an xG of 3.13 – the second-highest of any Premier League team on the opening weekend. Chances flowed. Control did not.
Iraola is unlikely to have the luxury of major changes. The £100 million move for Bradley Barcola is not expected to be completed in time, so the new manager will lean again on the same core that faced Newcastle.
Rio Ngumoha and Florian Wirtz, both withdrawn on 63 minutes last weekend, are the obvious candidates to drop out. Alexis Mac Allister and Victor Munoz wait in the wings, ready to bring more balance and control if Iraola reshapes his midfield.
Jeremie Frimpong, heavily criticised after the draw, is another flashpoint. The right-back came under scrutiny for his defensive work, but Iraola has few genuine alternatives in that position. He may have to trust the Dutchman again and live with the risk.
Injury Picture and New Faces
Injuries still cast a shadow over Liverpool’s plans. Hugo Ekitike and Conor Bradley remain several weeks away from a return, while defenders Giovanni Leoni and Joe Gomez are also sidelined.
The difference this year is that Liverpool appear better equipped to absorb those blows. Summer signings Jeremy Jacquet and Ronald Araujo delivered composed, authoritative performances at St James’ Park. Their presence gives Iraola a sturdier platform than Liverpool enjoyed for much of last season, when defensive absences repeatedly derailed them.
What Liverpool crave now is simple: a clean sheet and a front line that looks ruthless rather than wasteful. One solid defensive display and a sharp attacking performance would go a long way to calming the noise around Iraola’s first week in charge.
Forest’s False Start Under Glasner
Nottingham Forest arrive with problems of their own and a new man in the dugout. Oliver Glasner, a manager with FA Cup, Conference League and Charity Shield titles on his CV, took over in the summer and was supposed to bring order and edge.
So far, the results have been grim.
Forest have opened the campaign with back-to-back defeats to Leeds United, both at the City Ground. Leeds edged the Premier League opener 1-0, then returned three days later in the League Cup and left with a 2-0 win. Same ground, same opponent, same outcome: Forest blunt and beaten.
Glasner has been quick to play down any saviour narrative, insisting he is “no messiah.” The message is clear: this will take time.
He will have to navigate that rebuild without Ryan Yates and Nicola Savona, both ruled out through injury. Their absence strips Forest of energy and bite in key areas, hardly ideal ahead of a trip to Anfield.
The Stakes at Anfield
The backdrop is stark. Liverpool want to erase the memory of last season’s 3-0 home collapse to Forest and to show that Iraola’s version of this team can marry their attacking threat with defensive control. Forest want to prove they are not drifting into another troubled campaign, even as the defeats and injuries stack up.
The market reflects the mood. bet365 price Liverpool at 11/20 (1.55) to win, with Forest out at 19/4 (5.75).
For Iraola, this is more than just a second league game. It is his first Anfield audition, a chance to show that the chaos of Newcastle was a starting point, not a warning sign.
For Glasner, it is a test of resilience. Can Forest, already bruised by Leeds and missing key men, walk into one of the most demanding arenas in the league and leave with something to build on?
Anfield will have its answer soon enough.
