Can the Reds Earn Their First Win?

Liverpool welcome Nottingham Forest to Anfield in Premier League Gameweek 2 as both clubs search for their first victory of the new season.

The Reds recovered from falling behind twice to secure a dramatic 2-2 draw against Newcastle United. Nottingham Forest, meanwhile, began their campaign with a narrow 1-0 home defeat to Leeds United.

Both teams appointed new managers following disappointing previous campaigns and have strengthened their squads during the transfer window. Liverpool want to return to the Premier League title race, while Forest are targeting qualification for European football.

The supplied match graphic gives Liverpool a 63% chance of winning, compared to 16% for Nottingham Forest and 21% for a draw.

Bangbet prediction: Liverpool 2-1 Nottingham Forest.

Liverpool vs Nottingham Forest match details

• Competition: English Premier League
• Gameweek: Matchweek 2
• Date: Saturday, 29 August 2026
• Venue: Anfield
• Kick-off: 2:30 PM East Africa Time
• Bangbet prediction: Liverpool 2-1 Nottingham Forest

Liverpool begin a new era under Andoni Iraola

Liverpool entered the 2026/27 season determined to recover from a disappointing campaign in which they finished fifth and missed out on a serious Premier League title challenge.

Andoni Iraola replaced Arne Slot during the summer after impressing with his energetic, aggressive style of football at Bournemouth. The Spanish coach now faces the challenge of rebuilding Liverpool and returning the club to the highest level.

The Reds have also made several changes to their squad. Jérémy Jacquet, Víctor Muñoz and Ronald Araújo are among the players brought in to strengthen the team, while Florian Wirtz and Alexander Isak are expected to carry greater attacking responsibility following the departure of Mohamed Salah.

Liverpool’s opening performance against Newcastle showed both promise and familiar weaknesses. The team displayed determination to recover from losing positions, but defensive mistakes and a lack of control allowed the Magpies to take the lead twice.

Liverpool salvage a point against Newcastle

Liverpool fell behind after only five minutes when Anthony Elanga punished a defensive error. Cody Gakpo brought the Reds level with an impressive long-range finish, but Joe Willock restored Newcastle’s advantage shortly afterwards.

Iraola’s team continued searching for an equaliser and was eventually rewarded deep into stoppage time. Dominik Szoboszlai converted a 99th-minute penalty to secure a 2-2 draw and prevent Liverpool from beginning the season with a defeat.

The comeback highlighted Liverpool’s fighting spirit, but Iraola will know that his team must become more organised defensively. Conceding two goals and repeatedly allowing Newcastle to attack the spaces behind the midfield will concern the new manager.

Liverpool must produce a more balanced performance against Forest—especially when facing Morgan Gibbs-White and the visitors’ fast attacking players. talkSPORT

Nottingham Forest target European qualification

Nottingham Forest also begin the season under a new manager, with former Crystal Palace coach Oliver Glasner tasked with leading the club forward.

Forest have ambitious plans and hope to challenge for European qualification. However, Glasner’s team made a frustrating start after losing 1-0 at home to Leeds United. A late direct free kick from Anton Stach decided the contest and left Forest without a point from their opening match.

The team then suffered another defeat to Leeds in the Carabao Cup, increasing the importance of producing a positive performance at Anfield.

Glasner has strengthened his squad with several exciting additions. Ousmane Diomande has arrived to reinforce the defence, Xaver Schlager adds energy in midfield, while Liam Delap joined from Chelsea in a club-record £45 million deal.

Delap could make his Forest debut at Anfield and provide the physical presence and finishing ability the team lacked against Leeds. The Guardian

Why Liverpool are favourites

The supplied match graphic places Liverpool 10th and Forest 15th after the opening round. Despite the Reds beginning with a draw, their home advantage and superior attacking quality make them the clear favourites.

Anfield should provide Iraola’s players with additional energy as they play their first home league match under the new manager. Supporters will expect an aggressive start, intense pressing and a major improvement from the defensive performance at Newcastle.

Liverpool can threaten through the creativity of Wirtz, the movement of Gakpo and the finishing of Isak. Szoboszlai also gives the Reds a goal threat from midfield, as well as quality from penalties and direct free kicks.

The match graphic’s win probabilities are:

• Liverpool win: 63%
• Draw: 21%
• Nottingham Forest win: 16%

These percentages favour Liverpool, but Forest’s recent record at Anfield means the hosts cannot afford to become overconfident.

Forest’s previous Anfield success offers encouragement

Nottingham Forest recorded a stunning 3-0 victory at Anfield during the previous Premier League season. That result should give the visitors confidence that they can frustrate Liverpool and punish defensive mistakes.

Liverpool recovered to win the most recent meeting between the teams 1-0 at the City Ground, but their recent head-to-head record shows that Forest can make this fixture extremely competitive.

Only one of the last five league meetings between Liverpool and Forest produced more than 2.5 goals. This suggests Glasner could set his team up to defend in a compact shape and prevent Liverpool from building an early rhythm. GOAL

Forest will probably allow Liverpool to control possession before attacking through quick transitions. Gibbs-White’s creativity, Dan Ndoye’s movement and Delap’s physicality could test a Liverpool defence that looked vulnerable against Newcastle.

Key players to watch

Alexander Isak

Isak will be expected to lead Liverpool’s attack following his move from Newcastle. His pace, intelligent movement and finishing could be decisive, but he needs better service from Liverpool’s midfield and wide players.

Dominik Szoboszlai

Szoboszlai rescued Liverpool with his late penalty against Newcastle. His energy, shooting and set-piece ability make him one of the home team’s most influential players.

Cody Gakpo

Gakpo began the league season with an excellent goal and will look to continue his scoring form. His ability to move between the wing and central areas could create problems for Forest’s back three.

Morgan Gibbs-White

Gibbs-White remains Forest’s main creative threat. Liverpool must prevent him from receiving the ball in space and launching counterattacks.

Liam Delap

Delap could make his Forest debut after completing his club-record transfer. His strength and direct running may give Liverpool’s centre-backs a difficult afternoon.

Tactical prediction

Iraola is expected to ask Liverpool to press high, move the ball quickly and attack Forest from the opening whistle.

Forest may defend with three central defenders and use wing-backs to protect the wide areas. Glasner’s team will attempt to remain compact before releasing Gibbs-White, Ndoye and Delap on the counterattack.

Liverpool’s biggest challenge will be maintaining their defensive structure when committing players forward. If Forest escape the first line of pressure, they could find space behind Liverpool’s midfield.

The hosts should create enough chances to win, but their recent defensive record suggests a clean sheet is far from guaranteed.

Bangbet prediction: Liverpool 2-1 Nottingham Forest

Bangbet predicts Liverpool will claim their first Premier League victory of the season with a 2-1 win over Nottingham Forest.

Anfield, Liverpool’s attacking talent and the determination to impress under a new manager should give the Reds an advantage. However, Forest have enough pace and quality to score, especially if Liverpool repeat the defensive mistakes seen against Newcastle.

The match could remain close for long periods before Liverpool’s attacking depth proves decisive during the second half.

Betting markets to consider on Bangbet

Subject to market availability, football fans can explore:

• Liverpool to win
• Liverpool to score over 1.5 goals
• Both teams to score
• Over 2.5 total goals
• Liverpool to win and both teams to score
• Alexander Isak anytime goalscorer
• Cody Gakpo anytime goalscorer
• Correct score: Liverpool 2-1 Nottingham Forest

Final verdict

Liverpool showed character to rescue a point against Newcastle, but Iraola needs his team to defend better and control matches more effectively.

Forest will arrive with European ambitions, new signings and confidence from their victory at Anfield last season. However, back-to-back defeats against Leeds have exposed their own early problems.

Liverpool’s home advantage and greater attacking quality should produce their first victory of the campaign, although Forest are capable of making the contest uncomfortable.

Final prediction: Liverpool 2-1 Nottingham Forest.

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