The wait is over.
Liverpool return to Anfield today for their first home game of the 2026/27 Premier League season — and it will be a particularly special occasion.
For the first time, Andoni Iraola will walk out at Anfield as Liverpool manager for a competitive match.
After a dramatic 2-2 draw with Newcastle last weekend, the new Liverpool boss will be hoping his team can produce a much more convincing performance in front of their own supporters.
And there is another reason for Liverpool fans to feel confident.
We simply don’t lose our first home league game of the season.
A remarkable Anfield record
Liverpool haven’t lost their opening home league game of a season since 2003, when Chelsea came to Anfield and won 2-1.
Since then, the Reds have played 22 opening home league games, winning 17 and drawing five.
Even more impressively, Liverpool have won their first home Premier League game in 12 of the last 13 seasons, with the only exception being a 1-1 draw against Crystal Palace in 2022/23.
That’s some record.
And I’d certainly like to see it continue today.
Iraola’s first Anfield test
This is a huge moment for Iraola.
Taking charge of Liverpool is one thing.
Walking out at Anfield for the first time in a competitive match is something completely different.
He has experienced the pressure of managing in the Premier League with Bournemouth, but the expectations at Liverpool are on another level.
The supporters will be desperate to see what his Liverpool looks like.
Will we see the intensity?
Will we see the pressing?
Will we see the aggressive football that became such a feature of his Bournemouth side?
Most importantly, will we see improvement from Newcastle?
Liverpool showed plenty of character to come from behind twice at St James’ Park, but there were also obvious concerns.
The midfield looked vulnerable.
The full-backs struggled.
And despite dominating possession, Liverpool didn’t create enough for Alexander Isak.
Iraola will know there is plenty to improve.
Forest will not be easy
Nottingham Forest arrive at Anfield also searching for their first win of the season.
They lost their opening league game 1-0 to Leeds and then suffered another defeat to Leeds in the Carabao Cup during the week. ([Al Jazeera](https://www.aljazeera.com/sports/2026/8/28/liverpool-vs-nottingham-forest-premier-league-preview-team-news?utm_source=chatgpt.com))
But Liverpool supporters shouldn’t underestimate them.
Forest famously won 3-0 at Anfield last season, so Liverpool know exactly what can happen if they don’t perform.
In fact, the Reds have lost their last two home league meetings with Forest.
However, they have never lost three consecutive home league games against them.
That’s another record Iraola will want to protect.
A big day for Liverpool’s attack
This could also be an important afternoon for Alexander Isak.
The Swede endured a frustrating return to Newcastle last weekend, receiving very little service and failing to make the impact Liverpool supporters were hoping for.
Today should be different.
Liverpool will expect to dominate possession at Anfield, and Isak needs to be involved far more.
Behind him, Florian Wirtz also has a point to prove.
The German was disappointing against Newcastle and Liverpool need much more from their £100m-plus playmaker.
Then there is Cody Gakpo.
He was Liverpool’s best player at St James’ Park, scoring an excellent equaliser and showing exactly why the club still value him so highly.
If Liverpool can get those players firing together, Forest could have a very difficult afternoon.
And then there’s Barcola…
There is also the excitement surrounding Bradley Barcola.
Liverpool have reportedly reached an agreement with Paris Saint-Germain for the French winger, although he isn’t expected to be available for today’s match.
His imminent arrival has given supporters another reason to be excited about the future.
But for now, Iraola has to work with the players available to him.
And today is about getting Liverpool’s first three points of the season.
A special afternoon at Anfield
There is something different about the first home game of a new season.
The new signings.
The new manager.
The new expectations.
Everyone starts again.
And for Iraola, this will be his first opportunity to experience what it really means to manage Liverpool at Anfield.
The supporters will get their first proper look at his team.
And they’ll expect a reaction.
Liverpool don’t necessarily need to be perfect today.
But they need to look more organised.
More intense.
More dangerous.
And ultimately, they need to win.
My prediction
I expect Liverpool to have plenty of the ball.
I expect Forest to sit deeper and look to frustrate Iraola’s side.
And I expect Anfield to play a major role.
Liverpool have an incredible record in their first home game of the season.
It has been 23 years since we last lost one.
Let’s hope that record continues.
Because today isn’t just another Premier League game.
It’s the beginning of the Iraola era at Anfield.
And I cannot wait to see what comes next.
Liverpool 3-1 Nottingham Forest.
Come on, Reds.
Jamie (The Kopite View)
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