Liverpool XI for Iraola’s Anfield Debut Against Nottingham Forest
Anfield finally lights up for the new season, and it does so under a fresh face in the home dugout. Andoni Iraola takes charge of Liverpool at L4 for the first time, with Nottingham Forest and Oliver Glasner providing a stern, familiar test.
Forest arrive with form and history on their side. They have won on their last two visits to Anfield, and Glasner himself did the double over Liverpool last season while at Crystal Palace. The scars from those defeats are still fresh. The atmosphere tonight will demand a response.
Team News: Injuries Bite, Elliott Nears Exit
Liverpool’s squad is already carrying some bruises before a ball is kicked at home.
Joe Gomez remains sidelined as he works back from the hamstring injury that disrupted his pre-season. In defence, there is no Giovanni Leoni and no Conor Bradley either, both out with long-term problems that strip away depth in the back line.
Further forward, Hugo Ekitike is also unavailable. The forward is expected to be out until after Christmas with an achilles issue, robbing Iraola of another attacking option as he looks to stamp his style on this team.
Federico Chiesa is still a major doubt. He missed last week’s 2-2 draw at Newcastle United and, even if passed fit, faces a serious fight just to make the matchday squad in a crowded attacking department.
One name that will not feature at all is Harvey Elliott. The midfielder has been left out as he moves closer to an exit from the club, a significant decision on a player once seen as part of Liverpool’s long-term core.
Liverpool’s XI: New Era, Big Calls
Iraola’s first Anfield teamsheet carries a clear message: intensity and technical quality through the spine.
Liverpool XI: Alisson; Frimpong, Jacquet, Van Dijk (C), Kerkez; Mac Allister, Szoboszlai, Wirtz; Gakpo, Munoz, Isak.
Alisson anchors a back four that blends authority and freshness. Virgil van Dijk captains the side alongside Jacquet at centre-back, with Jeremie Frimpong and Milos Kerkez offering thrust from full-back.
In midfield, Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai line up with Florian Wirtz, a trio built to press, pass and punch holes between the lines. Ahead of them, Cody Gakpo and Munoz support Alexander Isak, who leads the line and carries the burden of goals.
On the bench, Iraola has options to change shape or tempo if required:
Bench: Mamardashvili, Araujo, Tsimikas, Endo, Gravenberch, Nyoni, McConnell, Koumas, Ngumoha.
Glasner has already shown he knows how to unsettle Liverpool at Anfield. Iraola’s first home selection is designed to break that pattern. Now it’s down to this new-look XI to decide whether Anfield remains a hunting ground for Forest, or becomes Iraola’s stage.
