Liverpool return to Anfield on Saturday looking for their first Premier League victory under Andoni Iraola when Nottingham Forest visit Merseyside.

The Reds needed a stoppage-time penalty to rescue a 2-2 draw at Newcastle on the opening weekend, while Oliver Glasner’s difficult start at Forest has already produced back-to-back defeats against Leeds United in league and cup.

Iraola has problems to solve despite Liverpool’s firepower

Liverpool’s trip to Newcastle offered an early indication of both the possibilities and the problems facing Iraola. Coming from behind to salvage a point showed character, with Dominik Szoboszlai converting the late penalty, but the performance exposed weaknesses that cannot be ignored if Liverpool are to challenge near the top of the table again.

Their midfield balance was particularly concerning. Szoboszlai and Ryan Gravenberch were used as the double pivot, but neither provided enough protection when Newcastle broke through midfield. Both home goals highlighted Liverpool’s vulnerability when possession was lost, and Iraola will want far greater control in his first league game at Anfield.

There are questions further forward too, despite the considerable money invested in the attack. Alexander Isak arrived for £125m but received limited service on his debut. Cody Gakpo found the net from the left, while youngster Rio Ngumoha started on the opposite flank, but Liverpool struggled to consistently create high-quality opportunities for their new centre-forward.

Florian Wirtz should again operate behind Isak and will be central to Liverpool’s attempts to break down what is likely to be a compact Forest defence.

Injuries continue to complicate Iraola’s defensive selections. Giovanni Leoni and Conor Bradley remain sidelined with knee problems, Joe Gomez is unavailable with a muscle injury and Hugo Ekitike is still recovering from the Achilles injury suffered in April.

Jeremie Frimpong and Milos Kerkez could start at full-back, with Jeremy Jacquet partnering captain Virgil van Dijk in central defence. Ronald Araujo provides another option but may initially remain among the substitutes.

Liverpool’s opening performance was unconvincing, but their record in first home matches is emphatic: they have won their opening league fixture at Anfield in 12 of the last 13 seasons.

Glasner needs to find a spark after miserable Forest start

Forest’s opening week could scarcely have gone much worse. Glasner’s side were beaten 1-0 at home by Leeds in their Premier League opener before losing to the same opposition again three days later, this time 2-0 in the EFL Cup.

More worrying than the results has been the absence of attacking threat. Forest have failed to score in four of their last six matches, and a trip to Anfield is hardly the ideal setting in which to rediscover their confidence.

Glasner is the fifth Forest manager in less than a year, illustrating the instability surrounding a club that desperately needs some continuity. It would be premature to draw sweeping conclusions after two competitive matches, but three successive defeats would inevitably increase the pressure surrounding the new regime.

There is at least one significant reason for Forest to believe they can make Liverpool uncomfortable. They have lost only one of their last four meetings with the Reds, winning twice and drawing once. More importantly, Liverpool’s performance at Newcastle showed exactly where Forest may be able to hurt them.

Glasner’s system is capable of producing quick transitions through the wing-backs and attacking midfielders, and Liverpool’s lack of protection when losing possession could provide opportunities even if Forest spend long periods without the ball.

Much could depend on Morgan Gibbs-White. The attacking midfielder is struggling with a knee problem, and Forest are working to have him available for Saturday. His absence would remove much of the creativity they need to exploit Liverpool on the break.

Ryan Yates is definitely unavailable, while Neco Williams is doubtful after suffering a knock in the midweek defeat. Should Williams miss out, Luca Netz and Ola Aina could operate as wing-backs outside a back three of Jair Cunha, Nikola Milenkovic and Murillo.

Verdict: Anfield should expose the difference in attacking quality

Liverpool clearly have work to do. Their midfield looked vulnerable at Newcastle, the defensive unit remains affected by injuries and Iraola is still trying to impose his ideas on a significantly altered squad.

That gives Forest a route into the contest, particularly on the counter-attack. Their recent record against Liverpool also suggests they should not arrive at Anfield with an inferiority complex.

The problem is what happens at the other end. Forest have started the season without scoring in two matches against Leeds, whereas Liverpool can call upon Isak, Wirtz and Gakpo even before their attacking structure is fully functioning. With Anfield behind Iraola for the first time in a Premier League fixture, that difference in quality should eventually tell.

Forest may exploit Liverpool’s defensive uncertainty and make the afternoon less comfortable than the hosts would like, but the Reds should have too much firepower.

Tip

Liverpool to win and both teams to score.