Liverpool lose to Nottingham Forest

Mo Salah and Roberto Firmino each score five points as Liverpool lose shockingly to Nottingham Forest.

Liverpool was defeated 1-0 by Nottingham Forest on Saturday at the City Ground, failing to maintain their momentum following two straight victories in the Premier League.

The Reds had the majority of the possession in a first half that featured few chances, but they were unable to capitalise when Fabio Carvalho’s attempt on Dean Henderson was soft, and Virgil van Dijk’s decision to head the ball across the goal despite being six yards away from the goal caused it to travel harmlessly to safety.

For the majority of the game, Forest attempted to hit Liverpool on the counter-attack. They had some success doing so when winning the ball high up the field, but none more so than when Taiwo Awoniyi forced Joe Gomez into a mistake in the second half, resulting in a goal from the ensuing free kick for the hosts. Before James Milner stopped Morgan Gibbs-White from scoring, their lead was almost doubled.

Van Dijk had the finest opportunity to tie the score in stoppage time when he directed a free header towards goal, but Henderson equalised with a strong quick-reaction save to preserve all three points for Steve Cooper’s team.

Positives

Following a series of injury issues, Curtis Jones’ strong performance will aid Liverpool moving ahead. Harvey Elliott also put up another strong performance for Jurgen Klopp, continuing his stellar performances.

Negatives

Forward balls carelessly sailed out of play because the Reds were too sloppy in possession. Additionally, Liverpool appeared to have reverted to their old habits of allowing numerous counterattacks before being punished by Awoniyi.

Manager evaluation scale: 10

(6) Jurgen Klopp swiftly made two substitutions that may have been made earlier after falling behind 1-0. On the surface, Klopp’s strategy appeared to be sufficient for the victory, but individual mistakes and poor play on the field limited what he could achieve.

Player evaluations (1–10; 10 = best; no rating for players who are introduced after 70 minutes)

GK Alisson 7 – Alisson wasn’t able to stop the initial goal, which cannoned back off the woodwork and into Awoniyi’s path. After several significant saves, kept the score at 1-0.

DF Robertson, Andy 6 -. made the appropriate choices when moving forward and didn’t let anything happen down his flank, even if it appeared that opponents were focusing on the opposing wing.

Virgil van Dijk, DF 6: Solid defensive effort, but his biggest mistake of the game came when he failed to put his six-yard header in the back of the net. His last-second shot was too central, which gave Henderson the opportunity to make the save.

DF Joe Gomez 5 – He occasionally dragged his feet with the ball and was caught off guard in the second half when he fouled Awoniyi prior to the first goal.

DF Milner, James Stretched the right channel of the game and tried to overlap Elliott to provide up opportunities for crosses into the box. A crucial block kept Liverpool in the contest.

MF Fabinho 5, who attempted to anchor the back four, found it difficult to get near to players on the Forest team to challenge them. When he had the ball, the game broke down too frequently, with his greatest mistake coming in the 85th minute when he rushed into traffic and recklessly lost it.

MF Curtis Jones 7 – Jones played a midfielder who preferred to dominate the game from there rather than set up goal-scoring opportunities in more forward positions. a great effort in a role that might work for him in future games after spending some time injured on the sidelines.

MF Harvey Elliott 7 – As the Reds frequently produced attacks down the right-flank, Elliott looked sharp whenever he received the ball. He also nearly earned an assist with a beautiful pass that gave Carvalho a one-on-one opportunity.

FW Carvalho, Fabio 6 – The 20-year-old created the game’s first significant opportunity with a deft touch that intercepted Elliott’s ball, but he was unable to complete the play. sometimes wasteful with possessions.

FW Richard Firmino 5 – Firmino had little opportunities in possession because Liverpool failed to get the ball to him. substituted eventually in the 76th minute.

FW Muslim Salah 5 – Slow to make decisions and generally unable to get going against Forest’s deep back line. After failing to make a proper connection on a chance where he had more time than he expected, Anonymous in the second half.

Substitutes

Trent Arnold Alexander (Milner, 62″) 7 – Firmino and Van Dijk nearly scored on several threatening set-piece deliveries, but they were unable to complete the task. Almost got Henderson to make a save with a header.

Lewis Henderson (Carvalho, 62″) 6 – From midfield, the captain applied strong pressure to assist Liverpool win the ball back in a better position.

Oxlade-Chamberlain, Alex (Firmino, 76″) N/R – Made his first appearance of the year in place of Firmino after his injury comeback.