Liverpool manager Andoni Iraola was rescued from defeat on his Anfield debut by Victor Munoz as Nottingham Forest threatened to win on Merseyside for the third Premier League season in a row.
Goals from Dan Ndoye and the prolific Morgan Gibbs-White stunned the home fans and looked set to give Oliver Glasner a deserved first win in charge of Forest.
But Munoz, a summer signing from Osasuna, swivelled to hit a fierce equaliser and earn the Reds a second draw of the season.
Iraola will have concerns though. Liverpool looked disjointed and short of options and have now gone six Premier League games without a win, their worst run since September 2012.
Forest, who had lost twice to Leeds already this season, were sharp and incisive before running out of steam late on,
Forest started well in the familiar 3-4-3 system so beloved by Glasner during his spell with Crystal Palace.
Liverpool dropped Ryan Gravenberch after their midfield was found wanting against Newcastle last week with Alexis Mac Allister taking a deep role in his place.
The Argentine’s fabulous pass found Cody Gakpo for the game’s first chance but the Dutchman could not get a shot away, while at the other end new signing Jeremy Jacquet had to defend well to prevent a Forest attack.
Ndoye then headed wide at the Kop end as the visitors had a bright spell – and the winger soon found the net.
After Liverpool were undone by a long ball over the top, Gibbs-White found Ndoye on the corner of the penalty area and he threaded a low shot across Alisson and in.
The hosts thought they were level when Florian Wirtz swivelled on a loose ball inside the area and fired across Matz Sels but the goal was ruled out for offside against Jeremie Frimpong in the build-up.
The goal may not have stood but it did seem to gee up the Reds who then saw a Wirtz header well saved before Munoz curled over after good work from Gakpo.
However it was Forest who went close to a second before the break as Alisson tipped a shot from Igor Jesus onto the crossbar.
Liverpool looked laboured at the start of the second half but as Iraola readied some changes Alexander Isak struck.
Gakpo, who was bright on the right-hand side all game, beat his man to fire the ball across goal and give the Swede a tap-in.
Forest introduced record signing Liam Delap and he took a quick throw to release Neco Williams. The former Liverpool man nicked it past Alisson who brought him down and a penalty was given.
Gibbs-White kept his cool to slam in the spot-kick in front of the away fans and seemingly set Forest on the way to another win.
But Munoz then swivelled to bury Wirtz’s pass in style for a spectacular fourth goal of the game and ensure the points were shared.
