Victor Munoz demonstrates exciting Liverpool trait but Dominik Szoboszlai concern continues

Ian Doyle with the talking points from Liverpool's Premier League clash against Nottingham Forest at Anfield on Saturday afternoon

Potential new wingers have been the talk of Liverpool supporters this week. But this was an afternoon about two already on the books at very different stages in their Anfield careers.

For £34.5million summer arrival Victor Munoz, a first competitive start on home debut underlined he has the happy knack of making things happen.

Having won the late equalising penalty at Newcastle United last week, here Munoz bludgeoned home Liverpool’s second goal himself to open his account for the Reds in emphatic fashion.

It came after being shifted to the right flank having taken a while to find his bearings on the opposite wing until curling one shot narrowly over just before the interval.

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Munoz, short in stature but stocky of build, has the physicality and work ethic Andoni Iraola demands of his players and seems like he won’t be bothered by the hurly-burly of English football.

The starting right-winger, Cody Gakpo, had earlier demonstrated his quality with a neat turn inside the area before inviting Alexander Isak to tap in the second, increasing further the clamour for the Dutchman to remain at the club amid interest from Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City, who reports last night claim to be his destination of choice if he was to depart.

After all, with Iraola revealing before the game he intends to regularly rotate his forwards, Liverpool are going to need as many attacking options as they can get.

Wirtz responds to critics

Believe some of the more extreme criticism that has been fired in his direction and it’s a surprise to discover Florian Wirtz s a footballer, let alone one worth a potential £116million.

There is, though, no doubt more is expected from the Germany international this season after a fitful debut campaign.

If another showing where he was too often on the periphery at Newcastle last weekend wasn’t the most convincing start, this battling performance against Nottingham Forest was a sizeable step in the right direction.

This was the Wirtz on which Liverpool were sold last year - pressing hard, getting through a shedload of work and, most pertinently, making a difference with his guile.

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Only the outstretched leg of an offside Jeremie Frimpong and the later outstretched arm of Forest goalkeeper Matz Sels prevented Wirtz from opening his account for the season.

And the second-half persistence of the 23-year-old was rewarded with the neat pass in for Gakpo to create Isak’s strike, and then a direct assist when finding Munoz for Liverpool’s second equaliser. He even sent the sizeable frame of Murillo to the turf to earn a comedy but pointed booking.

Wirtz missed both meetings last season with Forest through injury, and there are unlikely to be many more physical tests than the Tricky Trees. This must be a platform.

Szoboszlai concern continues

The spotlight shone on Liverpool’s midfield in the wake of last weekend meant change was always likely here.

But there were eyebrows raised at Ryan Gravenberch being the one to make way as Alexis Mac Allister returned to the engine room.

Mac Allister’s early impact, creating an opening for Gakpo and getting stuck into tackles, was a signal of his intent to retain his place, even if he understandably tired somewhat in the second half.

Alongside him, though, Dominik Szoboszlai had another disappointing afternoon. The Hungarians’s dramatic penalty at Newcastle perhaps distracted from a below-par showing from Liverpool’s outstanding player last season, and here against Forest he was little better.

Indeed, the sight of him playing out the game at right-back was a pointed reflection on both the Reds’ lack of options in the position - Frimpong again poor - and Szoboszlai’s own iffy outing in the engine room.

By contrast, teenager Trey Nyoni impressed during his late cameo, happily mixing it with more experienced opposition.

With Liverpool demonstrating little sign of bringing in a new midfielder before Tuesday’s deadline, the faith being shown in Nyoni could soon be given a test with more starting opportunities.

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