By Obaloluwa Joshua, LAGOS
Victor Munoz struck a late equaliser as Liverpool battled back twice to earn a 2-2 draw against Nottingham Forest in a thrilling Premier League encounter at Anfield on Saturday.
Dan Ndoye and Morgan Gibbs-White were on target for Nottingham Forest, while Alexander Isak and Munoz scored for the hosts.
The result means Liverpool manager Andoni Iraola is still searching for his first league victory in charge after consecutive 2-2 draws.
Super Eagles defender Ola Aina was named in Forest’s starting line-up and put up a solid display against the Reds.
The defender was booked six minutes after the break following a challenge on Munoz.
Nottingham Forest made the brighter start and deservedly took the lead in the 24th minute.
Goalkeeper Matz Sels launched a long ball forward, which Forest worked into the path of Ndoye. The Switzerland international kept his composure before firing beyond Alisson to silence the home supporters.
Liverpool thought they had restored parity shortly after the half-hour mark when Florian Wirtz found the back of the net, but the effort was ruled out for offside following a VAR check.
The Reds continued to push for an equaliser, although Forest remained dangerous on the counter.
Alisson produced a superb save shortly before the break to deny Igor Jesus and prevent the visitors from doubling their advantage.
Liverpool improved after the interval and eventually levelled on the hour mark.
Cody Gakpo did well on the right before delivering a low cross into the six-yard box, allowing Isak to tap home from close range and make it 1-1.
Forest, however, regained the lead just 10 minutes later after Alisson was adjudged to have brought down former Liverpool defender Neco Williams inside the box.
Gibbs-White stepped up and confidently sent the Brazilian goalkeeper the wrong way from the penalty spot to restore the visitors’ advantage.
Liverpool refused to surrender and were rewarded eight minutes from time.
Wirtz picked out Munoz, whose powerful effort took a slight deflection off Murillo before crashing in off the underside of the crossbar to make it 2-2.
Dominik Szoboszlai came close to completing the turnaround three minutes later, but his free-kick narrowly missed the target.
Liverpool pushed for a winner in the closing stages, but Forest held firm to secure their first Premier League point of the season.
The draw leaves Liverpool with two points from their opening two league matches, while Forest also picked up their first point following defeat in their opening fixture.
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