Liverpool’s summer has become consumed by transfer talk. Who is coming, who might leave, how much will be spent and whether another deal can be completed before Tuesday’s deadline have dominated the conversation.
For a couple of hours on Saturday, none of it matters.
Nottingham Forest arrive at Anfield for Liverpool’s first home game of the Premier League season and Andoni Iraola’s first competitive match in front of the Kop. After the disappointing 2-2 draw at Newcastle United, Liverpool need a victory.
There is no need for panic after one Premier League game. There is, however, plenty of reason to demand improvement.
Newcastle Problems Cannot Follow Liverpool Home
A point at St James’ Park can eventually look respectable. The atmosphere was hostile, Alexander Isak was returning to his former club and Liverpool were playing their opening fixture under a new head coach.
The performance remains harder to excuse.
Too much of Liverpool’s football resembled the problems which damaged them last season. They were vulnerable when possession changed hands, the midfield struggled to protect the spaces around the full backs and Newcastle were able to attack with an ease that Iraola will want eliminated.
Nottingham Forest possess players capable of exploiting those weaknesses.
Morgan Gibbs White remains their creative focal point, while their wing backs could present Liverpool with an awkward tactical problem. Jeremie Frimpong and Milos Kerkez want to attack. That is part of their appeal, but Ryan Gravenberch and Dominik Szoboszlai must recognise when they need to provide protection.
Liverpool should control possession at Anfield. Their challenge will be ensuring dominance does not become carelessness.
Forest have caused Liverpool enough problems in recent meetings to deserve respect. Allowing them opportunities to counter would turn an afternoon that should build confidence into another uncomfortable examination.
Iraola Needs More From Liverpool’s Midfield
The Gravenberch and Szoboszlai partnership offers athleticism, technical quality and the ability to move Liverpool forward quickly. There remains a question over whether it provides sufficient defensive security.
Szoboszlai’s form makes him virtually impossible to leave out. His penalty at Newcastle showed his mentality even on an afternoon when Liverpool struggled collectively.
Gravenberch should partner him again, but this combination needs greater discipline.
Liverpool have lacked the type of midfielder capable of covering large areas, winning duels and immediately turning defensive situations into attacks. Alexis Mac Allister can provide some of those qualities at his best, although his recent performances have not consistently reached the level Liverpool know he can produce.
Against Nottingham Forest, Liverpool should have enough quality without changing the midfield. Across a Premier League season, the balance remains something Iraola must solve.
Florian Wirtz also needs the platform to begin influencing matches consistently.
Nobody should be questioning his technical ability. The issue is getting him into areas where that ability hurts opponents. If Liverpool are secure behind him, Wirtz can take greater risks, operate between the lines and develop the relationship with Isak that could eventually transform this attack.
Isak And Wirtz Partnership Must Start Growing
Liverpool need to see more from Isak.
There were obvious mitigating circumstances at Newcastle, particularly given the emotion surrounding his return to St James’ Park. Yet his performance continued a concerning pattern. He still does not look as sharp, mobile or dominant as the striker who terrorised Premier League defences for Newcastle.
Saturday provides an opportunity to change the mood.
Isak needs service, but Liverpool also need him to become more involved. At his best he can carry the ball, beat defenders, press aggressively and create opportunities for himself. Liverpool did not sign a striker who simply waits inside the penalty area.
Wirtz could eventually become the player who unlocks him.
That relationship needs matches, touches and repetition. Anfield will be desperate for the first glimpse of it properly clicking.
Victor Munoz also deserves his opportunity on the right. His cameo against Newcastle brought directness and purpose, and he won the penalty which helped Liverpool salvage their point. Rio Ngumoha remains an outstanding prospect, but playing from the right has not consistently brought out his best qualities.
With Munoz predicted to start, Liverpool would have a more natural attacking presence on that flank.
Predicted Liverpool XI: Alisson, Frimpong, Jacquet, Van Dijk (C), Kerkez, Gravenberch, Szoboszlai, Wirtz, Ngumoha, Munoz, Isak.
Score Prediction: Liverpool 2-1 Nottingham Forest