Munoz strike ensures Liverpool take point from pulsating Forest tussle
Liverpool's Victor Munoz scores his side's second goal. Pic: Peter Byrne/PA Wire.
VICTOR Munoz marked his Anfield debut with a stunning late equaliser as Liverpool twice came from behind to claim a point.
Liam Delap made an instant impact off the bench on his debut with a significant role in Morgan Gibbs-White putting Forest ahead for a second time from the penalty spot 20 minutes from time after Alexander Isak went some way to answering his critics by levelling on the hour.
Munoz fired home in front of the Kop with eight minutes left to secure a share of the spoils.
It was just about deserved by Andoni Iraola's side, as Isak and the impressive Florian Wirtz responded to the imminent £123m arrival of Paris St Germain forward Bradley Barcola with eye-catching displays, Wirtz setting up his side's leveller after having a first-half effort ruled out by VAR.
Forest will head home wondering what might have been after coming so close to a third consecutive victory at Anfield after a display full of commitment and verve which promises much under the stewardship of Oliver Glasner.
They were good value for their lead as they hit the front midway through the first half when Liverpool failed to deal with a long Matz Sels clearance which found Igor Jesus on the edge of the area.
The bustling forward held the ball up well for Morgan Gibbs-White to slip a pass to Dan Ndoye to sweep the ball past Alisson Becker from a dozen yards for the Swiss international's first league goal since the opening day of last season.
Wirtz looked to have levelled when after Gibbs-White surrendered possession on the edge of the area, the German forward beating Selz with a composed finish on the turn, only for the effort to be ruled out for offside against Jeremie Frimpong after the intervention of VAR.
A fine fingertip save from Sels tipped a goalbound Wirtz header over as the hosts pressed for parity, and a poor first touch from Isak in the area turned into an inviting chance for Munoz, who fired wastefully over from 15 yards.
Glasner's side refused to sit back on their advantage, and were unfortunate not to go in at half-time two goals to the good when Becker excelled to push an Igor Jesus shot onto the bar after the forward was teed-up by some pleasing trickery down the right from the ever-dangerous Ola Aina.
Forest hadn't surrendered a first-half lead on 21 previous occasions but their resolve was put to the test on the hour when Isak arrived unmarked at the far post to divert the ball into an unguarded net from Cody Gakpo's inviting low centre across six yard box. It was only the Swede's ninth touch of the contest.
Parity lasted just 10 minutes as Delap's quick throw released Neco Williams into the box as the former Liverpool defender was brought down by Becker as he attempted to lift the ball over the Liverpool keeper.
Gibbs White, who now has 13 goals this calendar year, the most by any Premier League player, kept his cool to send the Brazilian the wrong way from 12 yards.
Munoz had endured a largely forgettable afternoon but that was quickly forgotten when the £34m summer arrival from Osasuna turned onto a Wirtz pass into the area to find the net via the underside of the bar with a ferocious drive which took a touch off Murillo to ensure a breathless contest ended all-square.
Becker 5; Frimpong 5 (Gravenberch 71, 5), Jacquet 6 (Araujo 77, 6), van Dijk 5, Kerkez 5 (Tsimikas 71, 5); Szoboszlai 6, MacAllister 5 (Nyoni 77, 6); Munoz 7, Wirtz 7, Gakpo 7 (Ngumoha 71, 5); Isak 7. Booked: Munoz, Wirtz, Alisson. Ajraujo.
Sels 6; Jair Cunha 6, Milenkovic 6, Murillo 6; Aina 7(Netz 86, 6), Schlager 7, McAtee 7 (Hudson-Odoi 90, 5), Williams 7; Ndoye 7 (Delap 66, 7), Gibbs-White 7; Igor Jesus 7 (Dominguez 90, 5). Booked: Igor Jesus, Aina.
Sam Barrott
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