Liverpool 2 – 2 Nottingham Forest – PL Player Ratings
The Premier League return saw the recent thorn in the Reds’ side arrive, with Oliver Glasner at the helm and a continuing point to prove.
The lineup and subsequent ratings are listed below.
Szobo RB
Mac in the middle
Muñoz RWHot poker up Isak’s ass
We could start to see something
— SimonBrundish (@SimonBrundish) August 29, 2026
Alisson Becker – 7.0
The giant Brazilian stopper was a close foil for the opening goal, as the far post was a stretch too far. A wonderful save in stoppage time stopped the Reds heading into half-time 0-2 down.
After the restart, the Reds’ keeper was helpless for the second goal as the counter-attacking voodoo struck again.
Jeremie Frimpong – 4.0
The Dutch international was a live-wire with his pace, yet looked unsure out of possession and simply put, looked far too small to compete with more physical opponents. Horrendous positioning for the opening goal.
When the match resumed, the former Bundesliga star was again full of running as his effort could not be questioned, just his on-pitch performance.
Subbed – 71 mins
Milos Kerkez – 4.0
The Hungarian international was a steady and largely untroubled presence as he worked to improve his defensive awareness.
After the break, the exciting full-back was unable to raise his game.
Subbed – 71 mins
Jérémy Jacquet – 7.0
The France under-21 international was too unaware of the returning attack as the opening goal was unfortunate. Produced a great block soon afterwards.
In the second half, the exciting prodigy was pulled about a little and had to defend large spaces too often.
Subbed – 76 mins
Virgil van Dijk – 6.0
The captain and leader of this team was vocal and very clear on demanding aggression, yet the new-look backline still looked unsure.
After the intermission, the former Celtic giant was unable to steady the leaking ship as the game drifted, again.
Alexis Mac Allister – 6.0
The Argentina international was unable to take control of the game as his game was overrun by a more physical opponent.
After the intermission, the midfield man was again limited and his use of the ball too often made little impact.
Subbed – 76 mins
Dominik Szoboszlai – 6.0
The Hungarian international was full of aimless running as he struggled to get a hold of the midfield.
When the match resumed, the former Bundesliga star looked to quicken the play and attempted an audacious striker from distance. Looked better and more impactful from right back.
Florian Wirtz – 6.0
The attacking midfielder was unlucky to have the equaliser disallowed after a brilliant strike from the edge of the box.
After the restart, the former Bayer Leverkusen man was neat and easy on the eye without adding true penetration until the second equaliser, as he set up the opportunity with brilliance.
Alexander Isak – 5.0
The Sweden international was anonymous and at times bullied as he failed to make the right decision when wanting for the ball.
In the second half, the former Newcastle attacker was able to equalise with a simple strike at the far post.
Víctor Muñoz – 8.0
The Spanish winger was lively if ineffective as his running failed to transition from opportunity to product. Should have done better with a curling effort late in the half.
After the break, the World Cup winner was caught too often with the desire to run and the need to retain possession. The goal was sublime and showed that he may operate better from the right.
Man of the match
Cody Gakpo – 5.0
The Dutch player was almost a ghost in the first half as he only contributed one decent move and failed to cover his fullback for the opening goal.
After the intermission, the former PSV man was the man with the pinpoint cross from the right as he set up Isak perfectly.
Subbed – 71 mins
Alexander Isak:
“There’s no problem in the fighting spirit, never giving up. We started the game really badly today. When we gain momentum when we score a goal, we need to do better…”
— Anfield Sector (@AnfieldSector) August 29, 2026
Substitutions;
Ryan Gravenberch – 5.0 (on 71)
Came on to add more physicality.
Rio Ngumoha- 6.0 (on 71)
Came on to add more guile.
Kostas Tsimikas – 6.0 (on 71)
Came on to add more experience.
Ronald Araújo – 6.0 (on 76)
Came on with more power.
Trey Nyoni – 6.0 (on 76)
Came on with more control.
The Manager;
Andoni Iraola – 7.0
The starting lineup was as expected, with Ryan Gravenberch and Rio Ngumoha dropped from the starting lineup.
The second-half substitutes were a little indecisive and lacked true conviction as there appears to be a lack of confidence in the squad. The effort seemed to build through the changes at least.
Steven Smith’s Pre-match Prediction;
Liverpool 2 – 1 Nottingham Forest
