Liverpool head coach Andoni Iraola will make his first home Premier League appearance on Saturday when Nottingham Forest visit Anfield for the lunchtime kick-off. The Reds began competitive life under their new boss with a 2-2 draw at Newcastle United on Sunday, having trailed early to Anthony Elanga's opener before Cody Gakpo equalised. Joe Willock's strike appeared to have won it for the home side until Dominik Szoboszlai converted a penalty in the ninth minute of added time.
Defensive decision
With the transfer deadline approaching next Tuesday, this weekend is the last time Liverpool play before finalising their squad for the first half of the season. Assuming no arrivals are secured before Forest's visit, Iraola has limited room to manoeuvre in most of his starting XI.
There is scope for rotation at centre-back, where Jeremy Jacquet started alongside captain Virgil van Dijk at Newcastle but was replaced midway through the second half by fellow new signing Ronald Araujo. Joe Gomez and Giovanni Leoni remain out. A poor performance from Milos Kerkez has increased the threat from Kostas Tsimikas at left-back, while injuries to Gomez and Conor Bradley mean Jeremie Frimpong's only real challenger on the right is Araujo being played out of position. Alisson Becker remains first choice in goal ahead of Giorgi Mamardashvili and Freddie Woodman.
Midfield change?
Iraola could shake up his midfield after it malfunctioned significantly at the weekend. Ryan Gravenberch and Szoboszlai formed the double pivot but face pressure from Alexis Mac Allister, who came off the bench on Tyneside, and Wataru Endo. Szoboszlai could also move to No.10 instead of Florian Wirtz, who was among too many Liverpool players off the pace against Newcastle.
Harvey Elliott failed to make the bench at the weekend, most likely to safeguard against the situation last season that prevented him from taking on another loan after featuring for both Liverpool and Aston Villa inside the opening weeks. Teenager Trey Nyoni has still not started a Premier League game, while James McConnell was on the bench at Newcastle, only his second involvement in a top-flight matchday squad since April 2025.
Ngumoha under threat
With Liverpool still having failed to sign a new right-winger, Iraola rotated through a number of alternatives during pre-season before landing on Rio Ngumoha at Newcastle. The teenager found life difficult, and his replacement in the second half, new signing Victor Munoz, won the late equalising penalty. The Spaniard is an option on both flanks, although Gakpo appears the man in possession on the left after a good performance on Sunday.
Alexander Isak is almost certain to continue as the chief central striker, with Federico Chiesa not even among the substitutes at Newcastle, where youngster Lewis Koumas made his Premier League debut with a lively late cameo.
