Liverpool started the season with a difficult 2-2 draw away to Newcastle, and now Iraola's side face their first home game under his management at Anfield. Meanwhile, Nottingham Forest, under Oliver Glasner, have failed to score in two competitive matches this season, losing to Leeds in both the league and League Cup, putting the visitors under considerable pressure.
The hosts' head-to-head record at Anfield has been disappointing in recent years: Forest won their last two visits to Liverpool 1-0 and 3-0. However, the teams' current form is incomparable. Despite the squad losses, Liverpool has a strong home crowd, the impact of their new manager's home debut, and the need to make up for the points dropped on the first day. Nottingham, meanwhile, have serious attacking issues, and it will be extremely difficult to hope for a repeat of their sensational performance of the previous season.
Considering Liverpool's high intensity in the first leg (27 shots on target), and their star new signing Alexander Isak likely to be eager to open his account for his new club, a home win seems reasonable. Liverpool's superior quality and motivation to take their first three points of the season will likely allow them to overcome Forest's tenacious, but not particularly effective, defence.
