After a Frustrating Opening, Liverpool Fight Back Again
Liverpool's return to Anfield produced another frustrating afternoon as Nottingham Forest left Merseyside with a point after a game that once again exposed the enormous amount of work required under new head coach Andoni Iraola.
The Reds dominated possession and controlled much of the football, recording 69 per cent of the ball, but the underlying numbers told a rather different story.
Forest actually produced the higher expected-goals figure, registering 2.30 compared with Liverpool's 1.75, despite having just 31 per cent possession.
That statistic should concern Iraola.
Liverpool may have controlled the ball, but Forest were repeatedly dangerous when possession changed hands. The familiar problem of defensive transitions remained, while the midfield once again appeared to lack the physical authority required to protect the defence.
There were positives.
Alexander Isak finally opened this season's account, Florian Wirtz showed flashes of the quality that persuaded the club to make him such a significant investment, and Víctor Muñoz continued his encouraging introduction to life at Anfield with an outstanding equaliser.
But another draw means Liverpool have taken only two points from their opening two Premier League matches.
The new era is proving more complicated than many expected, especially with a transfer window which failed to reach the heights needed, even with the expensive acquisition of Bradley Barcola.
Liverpool XI
GK – Alisson Becker
RB – Jeremie Frimpong
CB – Jérémy Jacquet
CB – Virgil van Dijk (c)
LB – Milos Kerkez
CM – Alexis Mac Allister
CM – Dominik Szoboszlai
RW – Víctor Muñoz
AM – Florian Wirtz
LW – Cody Gakpo
CF – Alexander Isak
Ryan Gravenberch → Cody Gakpo (71')
Río Ngumoha → Jeremie Frimpong (71')
Kostas Tsimikas → Milos Kerkez (71')
Ronald Araújo → Jérémy Jacquet (76')
Trey Nyoni → Alexis Mac Allister (76')
Liverpool 0–1 Nottingham Forest – Dan Ndoye (Morgan Gibbs White) – 24'
Liverpool 1–1 Nottingham Forest – Alexander Isak (Cody Gakpo) – 60'
Liverpool 1–2 Nottingham Forest – Morgan Gibbs White (Penalty) – 70'
Liverpool 2–2 Nottingham Forest – Víctor Muñoz (Morgan Gibbs White) – 81'
Possession – Liverpool 69% | Nottingham Forest 31%
xG – Liverpool 1.75 | Nottingham Forest 2.30
Total Shots – Liverpool 14 | Nottingham Forest 12
Shots on Target – Liverpool 4 | Nottingham Forest 3
Fouls – Liverpool 13 | Nottingham Forest 10
Corners – Liverpool 3 | Nottingham Forest 5
The opening half was again frustrating for Liverpool.
The Reds controlled possession for long periods and attempted to establish the rhythm of the contest, but Forest remained dangerous whenever they were able to escape Liverpool's pressure.
The opening goal was another example of Liverpool's vulnerability and lack of a midfield destroyer.
Possession is meaningless if the opposition can repeatedly create the better opportunities when the ball changes hands, and Forest were able to exploit the spaces around Liverpool's midfield and defensive structure.
Alisson Becker was once again required to produce an important save in stoppage time to prevent the deficit becoming even greater before the interval.
Liverpool had plenty of the ball but lacked sufficient penetration.
Wirtz occasionally demonstrated the technical quality that makes him such an exciting prospect, while Muñoz continued to attack with genuine intent from the right.
The problem was that Liverpool's possession often became too predictable. Forest were happy to defend and wait for opportunities to break.
At half-time, Iraola had plenty to address.
The second half was considerably more productive for Liverpool.
Isak opened his account in the 60th minute, giving supporters something to celebrate and providing an important confidence boost for the Swedish striker.
However, Liverpool's joy lasted only ten minutes.
Forest were awarded a penalty and Gibbs White converted, restoring the visitors' advantage and again highlighting the fragility of Liverpool's defensive structure.
Iraola responded with a series of changes. Gravenberch, Ngumoha and Tsimikas entered in the 71st minute, while Araújo and Nyoni followed five minutes later.
The changes increased Liverpool's energy and physicality. Eventually, the pressure told.
Muñoz produced a superb equaliser in the 81st minute, giving Liverpool a second-half lift and ensuring the Reds avoided defeat.
There was still time for Liverpool to search for a winner, but Forest held firm.
The statistics showed Liverpool had dominated possession and produced more attempts, but the 2.30 xG recorded by Forest demonstrates that the visitors were arguably more dangerous with the opportunities they created.
This was a performance that demonstrated both the potential and the problems within Iraola's Liverpool.
The attacking pieces are beginning to show signs of understanding one another.
Isak has his first goal of the season. Wirtz is gradually finding his rhythm. And Muñoz is rapidly becoming one of the most exciting players in the squad. But the defensive balance is not right.
Liverpool continue to operate without the specialist defensive midfielder that this system desperately requires, while the full-back situation leaves the centre-backs exposed whenever possession is lost.
Iraola deserves time. This is a new team, a new coaching structure and a new tactical approach. But the Premier League does not wait for anyone.
Two games have produced two draws. Liverpool have scored four goals but conceded four.
The football is more aggressive than it was under the previous regime, but aggression without structure can quickly become chaos.
That is the next challenge for Iraola. He needs to retain the attacking freedom while creating a defensive platform capable of supporting it.
There are plenty of reasons for optimism. There are also plenty of reasons for concern. For now, Liverpool remain a work in progress. And after another draw at Anfield, the work needs to accelerate.
Liverpool 2 – 1 Nottingham Forest
