Nottingham Forest

Nottingham Forest starting XI:

Matz Sels: Was commanding and it was his punt up the field that led to Ndoye's goal. Made a great save to deny Wirtz but was well-beaten by Gakpo's cross for Isak's leveller and had no chance with Munoz's strike. 5

Jair Cunha: Strong performance but will know he should have done better for Isak's goal. 6

Nikola Milenkovic: Part of a Forest backline that initially made it incredibly hard for Liverpool to break them down. 6

Murillo: Unafraid to drive with the ball and put in a solid shift but was well beaten by Munoz for the goal that made it 2-2. Still crucial that Forest keep him. 6

Ola Aina: Relentless all game. Was very involved, as always, and constantly asked questions of Liverpool. Nearly created a goal for Forest. 7

James McAtee: Getting his chance after Elliot Anderson's move to Manchester City and was very tidy on the ball in an impressive performance. Made some really good deliveries in the first half and battled well all afternoon. 7

Xaver Schlager: The summer signing came in for the injured Ibrahim Sangare and bar getting nutmegged early on by Dominik Szoboszlai, this was a good display from the Austrian midfielder. 7

Neco Williams: Like Aina, was full of energy down the opposite flank. Made a superb tackle early on to deny Gakpo. Was once on the Anfield books, and it was interesting to hear Steven Gerrard say pre-match that Liverpool should have kept him. Had a few defensive lapses but ultimately won the penalty that put Forest ahead for the second time. 7

Dan Ndoye: A wonderful finish past Alisson in the first half for what was his first Premier League goal in 377 days. 7

Morgan Gibbs-White: Quality on the ball and got the assist for Ndoye before dispatching his second-half penalty in style. Loves Anfield and how has five goal involvements (three goals, two assists) there. No Englishman has netted more Premier League goals overall this calendar year than his 13. 8

Igor Jesus: Had a great chance early on and his hold up play was brilliant for Ndoye's goal. Caused a nuisance for Liverpool's centre-backs all afternoon. 7

Nottingham Forest substitutes:

Subs:

Delap (on 66, Ndoye): 6

Netz (on 86, Aina): 5

Hudson-Odoi (on 90+2, McAtee): 5

Dominguez (on 90+2, Igor Jesus): 5

Subs not used: Victor, Diomande, Wood, Yates, Abbott.

Read the full article and see how you rated the players

Nottingham Forest manager Oliver Glasner, speaking to BBC Match of the Day: "I think we all have the same feeling, proud of the performance, proud of how many chances we created and proud of the reaction after we conceded the equaliser.

"On the other side, we're all a little bit disappointed we couldn't get the win. I think this shows how good we performed, how well we played. Overall, a very good performance.

"I could see our tactical shape work well in many parts but after 60-65 minutes, the level drops a little bit. Which shows we everything is not 100% settled, it can't be after six or seven weeks together. Also, we conceded the same goal more or less, in the same area.

"We opened the middle and we know Liverpool always tries to pass into these gaps. Many of these situations, we avoided but in these two situations, it was the wrong behaviour and then you get punished when you play here at Anfield.

"What I loved most was how we played forward and created the chances, especially in the first half. I think we should have led by more than one goal.

"But again, it's still the beginning of the season. The beginning of the journey and this performance will give us confidence.

"I always hope the next time it will go quicker but, again, we could see many positive aspects. Many things that should and will give us confidence but it's important to stay humble and keep working hard."

On transfers: "I am [hopeful of new signings]. The club are working hard before closed doors, I'm confident we will have two signings. We have Liam [Delap] in and hopefully one more, potentially two.

"The club is doing a great job, working hard. We have another new start, integrating new players."

Listen to more from Oliver Glasner on BBC Sounds here

Did you know?

• Nottingham Forest's Morgan Gibbs-White has scored all five of the penalties he's taken in the Premier League. The only Englishmen with a better 100% record are Ashley Barnes (7/7), Rickie Lambert (7/7), Garry Parker (6/6) and Clive Wilson (6/6).

• Nottingham Forest's Dan Ndoye scored his first Premier League goal since netting on his debut against Brentford last August – this ended a run of 24 games without a goal.

Sam Drury
BBC Sport journalist

Image source, Getty Images

After back-to-back home defeats by Leeds to begin his reign, this was a huge step forward for Glasner's Forest.

It was a performance typified by the endeavours of Williams at wing-back, superb defensively while still providing a threat going forward.

Just seven minutes in, the former Liverpool player came across well from left wing-back to tackle Gakpo, who otherwise would have been eight yards out with the goal at his mercy, and did not look back.

Such tackles were a feature of an excellent display, while there was no hesitation to burst forward when he sensed the opportunity from the throw-in that led to the penalty.

Liverpool were on their heels, Williams was not.

With Gibbs-White dictating things in the final third - and both Ndoye and Igor Jesus causing problems - there was plenty for Glasner to enjoy.

The wait for a first win goes on but, on this showing, not for much longer.

Whether you were at the game or following from elsewhere, we want to know what you learned.

Have your say on Liverpool's performance

What did you make of Nottingham Forest's display?

Reaction and analysis to follow - and come back on Monday for a selection of your replies.

There are four games in the Premier League on Saturday and BBC Sport will bring you every moment.

• Liverpool v Nottingham Forest (12:30)

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Nottingham Forest travel to Liverpool looking to secure a hat-trick of league wins at Anfield for the very first time. BBC Sport looks at the key themes.

Andoni Iraola's first Premier League game in charge of Liverpool may have ended on a positive note with their last-gasp equaliser at St James' Park, but it was a 90 minutes that also shone a light on the weaknesses his side currently have.

The Reds enjoyed 61% possession and had a whopping 27 shots to Newcastle's 13 but at times they were cut apart with ease by the home side's direct and pacy counter attacks.

The Geordies' opening goal from Anthony Elanga came just 10 seconds after Newcastle won the ball in their own box, while their second took just 12 seconds from Malick Thiaw winning possession to Joe Willock finishing past Alisson with aplomb.

It raised the tally of goals the Reds have conceded from fast breaks in all competitions since the start of last season to nine, the highest of any Premier League side.

Iraola takes charge of his first competitive match at Anfield looking to protect the club's proud record of having not lost their opening league game of the season on home soil since 2003, with 17 wins and five draws from 22 such matches.

However, that impressive run will come under threat from a Nottingham Forest side that have got used to winning at Anfield. Having not triumphed there in any competition since 1969 they enjoyed a 1-0 victory in September 2024 before following it up with a thumping 3-0 success last November.

In fact, since Forest's return to the top-flight in 2022 their three league wins over Liverpool is more than any other side has managed against the Reds in that time.

Forest hope for Delap boost

Like Liverpool, Nottingham Forest are trying to find their feet under a new manager in Oliver Glasner.

He will certainly be glad to see the back of Leeds United after Daniel Farke's side inflicted back-to-back defeats on them within four days in which they failed to score a goal.

A downbeat Glasner said after Tuesday's League Cup loss that the club have to a long way to go before they get to where he wants them to be.

"The reality is, and I think everybody has to understand and accept, nine months of relegation battle, losing maybe your top midfielder (Elliot Anderson), and now we're six weeks together," the former Palace boss said. "The reality is no magician, no Messiah, it's just hard work. This is what we have to do."

A quiet summer by their recent standards in the transfer market was reflected by Glasner including no new signings in his starting line-up for their opener last Saturday.

However, the arrival of club-record signing Liam Delap will give everyone a lift. The £50m striker will be desperate to reignite his career after scoring just one goal in 28 league games in a frustrating spell at Stamford Bridge.

Forest will at least be buoyed by the fact they have scored in each of their last 10 Premier League away games – the longest current run in the top flight - netting 15 goals in their last five on the road alone.

I covered Nottingham Forest against Leeds last weekend and in fairness that was a really tight game. Oliver Glasner's gone into Forest with a big reputation but they went through four managers last year and the owner is notoriously impatient if things don't go well.

They didn't go big in the transfer window but they have got Liam Delap and he'll be hoping to get his career back on track. He had a disappointing season at Chelsea - which I know all about - but I do think there's a player in there and hopefully he'll suit Forest.

It will be interesting to see who plays as that central striker. With the money they've spent on Delap then Chris Wood may not play a major role.

I thought Liverpool deserved a point at least at Newcastle and they got a fair bit of criticism but I can't see past the Liverpool win and I think Alexander Isak will get off the mark.

Last season he shot himself in the foot - forcing the move and then he had injury issues and it didn't quite happen for him. We know there's a player in there and for his sake and Liverpool's sake, the sooner he comes to the fore the better.

Sutton's prediction: 2-1

Read the full predictions and have your say here

Nick Mashiter
Football reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Liam Delap can revive his career at Nottingham Forest after his Chelsea nightmare, according to boss Oliver Glasner.

The Austrian believes the City Ground is the perfect place for the striker after his record £50m move.

Delap, 23, had been frozen out by new Chelsea boss Xabi Alonso and was not training with the group, while his number nine shirt was taken by Joao Pedro.

He scored just once in the Premier League after a £30m move from Ipswich last summer but has become the most expensive signing in Forest's history.

Glasner said: "He had a difficult season at Chelsea and in the last weeks he wasn't allowed to train with the team any more.

"It's clear you have to look for a club where you have better chances to get minutes and reignite your career. That's why I think we're the right club.

"We were in talks for many days and we tried to convince him - and we could convince Liam that Nottingham Forest is the right club, at the right moment, for where he is in his career.

"Before he picked Chelsea, everyone in the Premier League wanted Liam. We heard it was possible and we were looking for a striker with physicality and especially with pace.

"When Taiwo [Awoniyi] left, the one who made the runs in behind was missing. We were looking for this profile. Liam is the perfect fit and we are the perfect club for him.

"He is hungry and wants to improve. The entire package looked great."

Tasnim Chowdhury
BBC Sport journalist

Nottingham Forest boss Oliver Glasner has been speaking to the media before Saturday's Premier League game against Liverpool at Anfield (kick-off 12:30 BST).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• Midfielders Morgan Gibbs-White and Ryan Yates will be available, but Ibrahim Sangare will miss the match on Saturday because of a calf injury picked up during training on Wednesday.

• Glasner said new signing Liam Delap is the "perfect player" for his side and Forest will "reignite" his career. He added: "He is hungry, he wants to improve, he wants to make a step forward - and this is what we are looking for when we sign players. So the entire package looked great."

• Glasner expects at least one more signing. He said the club could "potentially" sign a wing-back, but when asked about potentially signing Dainel Munoz from Crystal Palace, he said: "No comments on any names. When the ink is dry, you will be informed."

• On improving the mentality of players, Glasner said: "When you had such a difficult, tricky, challenging season then something happens in your head. This is the biggest part to change, to improve, and this is probably the part that takes longest. It's a lot of psychology and confidence - there is no button you can press."

• On making changes, he added: "If we want things to change, we have to change them. No-one will do it for us. And this is sometimes getting out of the comfort zone and accepting reality. Roll your sleeves up, head down and let's go. This is the mentality we want to create. Roll your sleeves up, work hard every single day and then we will get better results."

• He said the formation will be decided after the transfer window, based on the players he has. Glasner added: "I always want to have our best players on the pitch, so I'm not strictly saying we have to play in a 3-4-3. If I believe we need more attacking players on the pitch, then we will change the system immediately - then some players will have different roles."

• On Liverpool: "Liverpool had some changes with the new manager, Andoni Iraola, who has done an excellent job with Bournemouth. We know his style of pla and it is very intense. They have a very attacking midfield with Ryan Gravenberch, Dominik Szoboszlai and Florian Wirtz, and very attacking full-backs with Jeremie Frimpong and Milos Kerkez."

Hit play above to hear more from Glasner, speaking to BBC Radio Nottingham's Colin Fray, or listen on BBC Sounds here

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Former Nottingham Forest defender Brian Laws believes new record signing Liam Delap is like a "young Chris Wood" and says he likes a lot of aspects of his game.

The 23-year-old signed from Chelsea for £50m on Thursday and he will be hoping to find his form after struggling at Stamford Bridge last season.

Speaking on BBC Radio Nottingham's Shut Up And Show More Football podcast, Laws said: "We've all been banging the drum about signing a striker as a priority. We can't just rely on Chris Wood and Igor Jesus.

"It was important to bring in someone who's got experience within the Premier League. He's a young player. I do like him in lots of ways. He's almost like a young Chris Wood where he will cause havoc and won't give centre-halves a rest. He will chase things down that he maybe shouldn't get, but the most important thing is I want to see him in the box. I want to see him attack the ball."

Delap will be hoping to rediscover the form that caught Chelsea's eye. While at Ipswich Town, in his first regular season of top-flight football, the former Manchester City academy graduate notched 12 league goals and BBC Radio Suffolk's Brenner Woolley said that form made him think he would "undoubtedly" be a future England striker.

"He was terrific during his solitary season in Suffolk, and while the team collectively clearly found themselves out of their depth, he never did," Woolley told the pod.

"He looked like a Premier League player from the opening day. I remember the opening day against Liverpool and he bullied Jarell Quansah out of the game to the extent Arne Slot took him off at half-time.

"He was quick, he was powerful, persistent. He scored some really, really good goals. He was sometimes overly physical and picked up one or two daft yellow cards. He could hold the ball up, his link-up play was decent and he looked a real prospect.

"At that stage, he undoubtedly looked an England number nine for the future."

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds

Explore more Forest audio here

Nottingham Forest have made an offer worth up to £22m for Crystal Palace and Colombia wing-back Daniel Munoz, 30. (Athletic - subscription required), external

Meanwhile, Atletico Madrid are considering signing forward Igor Jesus from Forest. (Fichajes - in Spanish), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Friday's full gossip column

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

A fresh episode of BBC Radio Nottingham's Shut Up And Show More Football podcast has dropped on BBC Sounds.

David Jackson and Colin Fray discuss Liam Delap's £50m move to the City Ground - plus hear an interview with Reds goalkeeper Matz Sels

Listen below or on BBC Sounds here - and don't forget to subscribe to get each episode into your My Sounds feed.

Explore all Nottingham Forest content on BBC Sounds

Matthew Hobbs
BBC Sport journalist

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In a summer of staggering transfer fees, Liam Delap's move to Nottingham Forest stands out.

An outlay of £50m for a striker who scored one league goal last season - at a £20m profit to Chelsea - has caught the eye.

But Delap is only 23 years old and has scored goals in the Premier League before.

The overriding positive for Forest fans digesting Delap's inflated fee - which can be partly explained by Ipswich Town reportedly receiving 20% of any profit made on their £30m sale to Chelsea last summer - is that Oliver Glasner's man-management and tactical set-up are both likely to suit the new arrival.

Glasner tends to prefer playing without the ball - his Crystal Palace team averaged 46% possession last season - while the Austrian also likes to attack directly at pace, suiting Delap's natural assets.

Glasner also has recent form for turning around a centre-forward's career after transforming Jean-Philippe Mateta at Selhurst Park.

Mateta improved his shot conversion rate and halved the number of minutes it took to score goals under Glasner, operating in the same type of targetman role that Delap is set to fulfil at Forest.

Delap also remains a valuable commodity in the sense that he is one of only 10 English forwards aged 23 or under regularly playing in Europe's top five leagues.

On Match of the Day in November 2024, former Liverpool midfielder Danny Murphy said: "I would probably go as far as to say he is the obvious long-term successor to Harry Kane. He is the best young English striker out there.

"I just don't see a weakness for him. He has that lovely balance between physical and technical [ability] - and rarely do you get both. He is a super talent."

Delap's international ambitions may have to wait for the time being but Glasner improved Mateta to the point of him playing for France at the 2026 World Cup.

Significant interest will surround how far he can take Delap.

Read the full article here

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Nottingham Forest record signing Liam Delap believes Oliver Glasner can be the coach to "really help me develop and get to that next step".

Delap has completed a £50m transfer from Chelsea and signed a five-year deal at the City Ground after just one season at Stamford Bridge.

The 23-year-old striker struggled in west London, scoring just one league goal, but was convinced of the Forest project by new head coach Glasner, who himself arrived earlier this summer.

"I'm buzzing," Delap said on the move.

"I really can't wait to get started, it's a massive club with a big history so I can't wait.

"I spoke with the head coach and I really like his way. I think he can be the one to really help me develop and get to that next step. There're some top players here as well and I'm looking forward to playing alongside them."

Delap scored 12 goals for Ipswich Town in his first Premier League campaign in 2024-25 in a side that only won four games all season and were relegated in 19th place.

"It was probably the time when I've enjoyed playing football the most and I think that was when I played my best football as well," he added.

"Hopefully I can recreate that here.

"I'm aggressive and I play with a lot of speed and aggression. Hopefully I can bring some goals here as well.

"With the new head coach I think we can build something really strong. The main aim is to challenge and be a top club in the Premier League."

Fiorentina have turned down Nottingham Forest's initial bid of £6m for Brazilian right-back Dodo, 27. (Sky Sport Italy - in Italian, external)

Want more transfer stories? Read Thursday's full gossip column

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Nick Mashiter
Football reporter

Nottingham Forest are still working on deals after only bringing in three new faces so far this summer.

A striker and a full-back would be ideal with the club in talks for Chelsea's Liam Delap, while Fiorentina right-back Dodo is of interest.

Boss Oliver Glasner has played down the need for midfield reinforcements, despite Elliot Anderson's departure to Manchester City.

What business do you think still needs to get done before 23:00 BST on 1 September?

Get in touch with your views

Nick Mashiter
Football reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Nottingham Forest winger Dilane Bakwa has joined Lille on loan for the season.

The forward, who turned 24 on Wednesday, cost £30m when he arrived from Ligue 1 club Strasbourg last summer.

But he only made six Premier League starts as Forest went through four managers and finished 16th in the table last season. In total, he made 24 appearances and contributed two assists but did not score a goal.

Lille finished third in Ligue 1 last season, securing Champions League football for 2026-27.