Liverpool did not control enough of the ball game at Newcastle and were rescued by a 99th-minute Dominik Szoboszlai penalty in a 2-2 draw. That is the real issue going into Liverpool vs Nottingham Forest, not just whether they can produce a reaction. Nottingham Forest have opened with two defeats, but the return of Morgan Gibbs-White and Ryan Yates gives this a different shape from a routine home fixture.
Liverpool's control problem
The tactical question for Liverpool is simple: can they turn pressure into control instead of leaving the game open for long spells again?
Their recent league run is poor. Liverpool have no wins in five league matches, with two draws and three defeats, and they start this weekend 14th in the table. That does not mean a crisis three games into a campaign, but it does mean the margin for another messy performance is already smaller than Anfield would like.
What keeps this from feeling straightforward is Forest's recent record in this fixture. Liverpool lost their last home meeting with Forest 0-3 and also lost the previous league meeting at Anfield 0-1. For all the expectation around the home side, this has become a matchup that asks questions of them.
Against Newcastle, Liverpool still had enough attacking moments to survive a difficult night. The concern was the game state. They needed a late penalty from Szoboszlai to rescue a point rather than managing the contest earlier.
Forest's returning midfielders and Liverpool's key outlets
Forest's start has been bad in bottom-line terms. They have lost their opening two matches and sit 18th before kick-off. Even so, the team news gives Glasner a better hand than he had a few days ago.
Quoted by givemesport.com, Glasner said: "Yes, Morgan [Gibbs-White] is available, Ryan Yates is available, that is the good news. Ibrahim Sangare picked up a minor calf injury during Wednesday’s training session so he will miss tomorrow’s game. But the other two will return."
That matters on the pitch because Gibbs-White gives Forest one more player who can carry transitions into space if Liverpool's midfield shape loosens again. Yates' return also helps them regain some edge in the middle, even with Sangare out.
Liverpool have their own absence to manage. Iraola said, quoted by givemesport.com: "Fede is not available, in the game against Como he felt something in his back." That leaves Federico Chiesa out and puts more attacking weight on the players who were already central in the opener.
Cody Gakpo is the clearest one. He had nine shot involvements against Newcastle, six shots and three chances created, which was the most of any player in Gameweek 1. When Liverpool looked dangerous, he was usually involved.
Szoboszlai's role is slightly different, but just as important. He already has one goal in one league appearance, and his 7.2 display in the opener suggests he was contributing across the game before the late penalty. If Liverpool are going to pin Forest back, those two are the likeliest route.
Anfield pressure arrives early
This is where the game gets interesting. Forest arrive with two defeats from two, but they also arrive with enough personnel back to make Liverpool work for control. Liverpool have the stronger attack and the home advantage, yet their own recent league form and Forest's last two league wins at Anfield stop this from being written off as a clean reset.
The opinion here is pretty straightforward: Liverpool should still have more than enough to dictate the match, but only if they play it on their terms for longer than they did at Newcastle. Gakpo's volume and Szoboszlai's late intervention suggest the threat is there. The first home league game under Iraola now looks like a test of structure as much as finishing.
Anfield gets that test on 29 August, with Liverpool starting 14th and Forest 18th before kick-off.
FAQ
Why does Liverpool vs Nottingham Forest feel like an early pressure game?
Liverpool needed a 99th-minute Dominik Szoboszlai penalty to rescue a 2-2 draw at Newcastle in their opener, and they go into this match with no wins in their last five league games. They start the weekend 14th, while Forest are 18th after two defeats from two, so both sides already have pressure around them.
What is the latest Liverpool team news before Nottingham Forest?
Federico Chiesa is not available. Andoni Iraola said, quoted by givemesport.com, that Chiesa felt something in his back in the game against Como. The article focus is less on wholesale changes and more on whether Liverpool can control the game better than they did at Newcastle.
Are Morgan Gibbs-White and Ryan Yates fit for Nottingham Forest against Liverpool?
Yes. Oliver Glasner said Morgan Gibbs-White and Ryan Yates are both available for the trip to Anfield. Forest do have one fresh midfield issue, with Ibrahim Sangare missing the game after picking up a minor calf injury in training.
Who has looked most dangerous for Liverpool so far this season?
Cody Gakpo was Liverpool's main attacking threat against Newcastle. He posted nine shot involvements, made up of six shots and three chances created, which was the highest total of any player in Gameweek 1. Szoboszlai also arrives with one goal in one league appearance after converting the late penalty at St James' Park.
Written by Jack Mercer with AI-assisted research, cross-checked against 5 outlets. How we work →
