Liverpool suffered their first defeat of the Premier League season on Saturday as they misplaced 1-0 to Nottingham Forest at Anfield for the primary time in 65 years.
A combined efficiency within the first half noticed the Reds annoyed all through by Nottingham Forest, with Luis Díaz coming closest to opening the scoring with an effort that struck the publish. Alexis Mac Allister was one other standout for supervisor Arne Slot’s facet within the opening 45 minutes, because the Argentina worldwide tried to ignite Liverpool’s assault into motion.
The hosts’ frustrations continued within the second half amid a transparent lack of innovative, which yielded a triple change made on the hour mark with Darwin Núñez, Cody Gakpo and Conor Bradley all launched. Nonetheless, it was a substitute who broke the impasse for the guests as Callum Hudson-Odoi put the guests forward within the 72nd minute.
Liverpool may do little to vary the destiny of the sport as Forest’s defence soaked up the strain, in an attacking efficiency that was by far their most out-of-sync of the season thus far.
Positives
It is troublesome to search out positives after such a poor show, however there are not any new damage issues for Arne Slot to cope with forward of subsequent week’s conflict in opposition to AC Milan to start their Champions League marketing campaign.
Negatives
Liverpool did not appear like scoring even after going 1-0 down in a blunt attacking efficiency that can want resolving if they’ll play an element within the Premier League title race.
Supervisor score (1-10)
Arne Slot, 5 — He did not appear to have the reply on Saturday afternoon with no significant probabilities created all through your entire recreation. He tried to make one thing occur together with his substitutes, however there was no resolution that might unlock Nottingham Forest’s spectacular defence.
Participant scores (1-10; 10: finest. Gamers launched after 70 minutes obtain no score)
GK Alisson, 6 — There was nothing the Brazil worldwide may have carried out about Callum Hudson-Odoi’s strike which was positioned completely onto the publish earlier than it went in. Saved Liverpool in it with a save in opposition to Anthony Elanga to stop the rating changing into 2-0.
DF Trent Alexander-Arnold, 4 — Alexander-Arnold did not make as a lot impression as regular at right-back and could not produce when moved into midfield, dropping possession for Forest’s profitable aim.
DF Ibrahima Konaté, 6 — The France worldwide was robust when difficult for headers and employed a no-nonsense strategy to Nottingham Forest’s set-piece menace.
DF Virgil van Dijk, 7 — Positioned effectively in opposition to Nottingham Forest set-pieces to clear the hazard, and likewise lower out a low move that was put again throughout the field.
DF Andy Robertson, 5 — The Scotland worldwide labored exhausting up the left flank, however did not create a lot. Changed by Kostas Tsimikas within the seventy fifth minute.
MF Ryan Gravenberch, 4 — There wasn’t an excessive amount of defensive work for Ryan Gravenberch to do with nearly all of Forest’s assaults coming down the flanks, and he was quiet within the second half.
MF Alexis Mac Allister, 6 — Considered one of Liverpool’s brightest gamers as he all the time regarded to rapidly transition the ball and make an impression within the last third. He created a half-chance with a well-picked-out move for Diogo Jota, earlier than forcing a save from Mats Selz with a header.
MF Dominik Szoboszlai, 4 — Got here to life in moments in the course of the first half with runs via midfield, and likewise linked effectively with Mohamed Salah when trying to change the ball out vast. Light out of the sport within the second half exterior from his blocked shot.
FW Mohamed Salah, 4 — The Liverpool ahead improved after a quiet first half and obtained on the ball extra, however his normal innovative wasn’t fairly there. Wasteful all through, and never in sync with teammates.
FW Diogo Jota, 5 — There wasn’t an excessive amount of house for Diogo Jota to make use of with three defenders round him, and the one probability he had he could not get sufficient energy on when connecting with a move from Mac Allister. Changed by Darwin Nunez on the hour mark.
FW Luis Diaz, 6 — The Colombia worldwide usual Liverpool’s finest probability of the primary half via his exhausting work, profitable again possession earlier than virtually catching the goalkeeper out, just for his effort to strike in opposition to the publish.
Substitutes (gamers launched after 70 minutes = no score)
FW Darwin Nunez, 4 (on for Jota, 60″) — The Uruguay worldwide had little impression in his 30-minute spell and did not threaten the defence as soon as.
DF Conor Bradley, 5 (on for Mac Allister, 61″) — Struggled at occasions in opposition to Callum Hudson-Odoi. Did his finest to get ahead and assist assaults.
FW Cody Gakpo, 4 (on for Diaz, 61″) — Gradual to get into the sport and eased off the ball by Ola Aina early on. Could not get on the ball in any harmful positions. Ineffective.
DF Kostas Tsimikas, N/R (on for Robertson, 75″) — Launched for Andy Robertson within the seventy fifth minute. Put Anthony Elanga beneath strain to stop an enormous probability.
MF Curtis Jones, N/R (on for Konate, 75″) — On with quarter-hour to go, however had little time to make an impression.