Liverpool’s winning run under Arne Slot was ended at Anfield after a stunning strike from Callum Hudsun-Odoi gave Nottingham Forest a shock 1-0 victory. On 72 minutes, the second-half substitute cut inside and curled a shot past Alisson, and despite late pressure, the visitors held on.
After a bright start, the Reds were frustrated for large parts, with Luis Diaz hitting the post in the first half and away keeper Matz Sels nearly fumbling a loose ball into his own net.
Arne Slot made a triple substitution after the break, bringing on Darwin Nunez, Conor Bradley and Cody Gakpo, but the hosts failed to break the deadlock against their organised visitors – before Hudson Odoi stunned the home fans into silence.
Express Sport rounds up the key talking points…..
Nuno shows his nouse
For all the talk of Liverpool’s form, it largely went unnoticed that Forest too arrived on Merseyside unbeaten in the league. And during the first 45 minutes in particular, it was clear to see why.
Nuno Espirito Santo is no stranger to a pragmatic approach, and was happy to set his team up today to frustrate the Reds. Starting with a 4-4-1-1 formation, with Morgan Gibbs-White playing off Chris Wood, Forest were compact, resolute, and prepared to go direct.
By half-time, they trailed 6-0 in shots on goal and 18-0 in terms of touches in the opposition area. Those stats got worse thereafter but the only one that counted, the overall scoreline, signified a win Nuno’s team worked for and merited. Another relegation battle? On this showing, no chance.
Nunez firmly out of favour
Four Premier League games under Slot, and four omissions from the starting XI for Darwin Nunez. Last March, it was the Uruguayan’s later header against the same side that many tipped to be a pivotal moment in the title race. What a difference six months makes.
He was eventually introduced on the hour mark for Diogo Jota, but made little in the way of impact. And the reluctance of Liverpool to go direct further negated his desire to contribute.
Early indications show that Slot is not prepared to show the patience of his predecessor when it comes to Nunez, whose work rate and threat is too often countered by erratic finishing. Should the time on the sidelines continue, expect the forward to be up for sale next summer.
Szoboszlai needs a ‘six’
The ability of Dominik Szoboszlai on the ball has never been questioned. But his play off it shows just why Slot was so keen to bring Martin Zubamendi to the club this summer.
The Hungarian produced a sloppy individual display, with usual touch and range of passing deserting him and missing a great chance to level late on. And when Szoboszlai is ineffective going forward, his worth comes under question given his lack of ability to win the ball. Come January, and expect FSG to get the chequebook out when the Dutch boss demands a ‘six’.
Szoboszlai was far from the only player in red to underperform today. Mo Salah wasted a series of attacking positions while Ryan Gravenberch, who previously appeared revitalised this season, was noticeably off the pace.
Hudson-Odoi issues reminder
Let’s not getting carried away, one super strike doesn’t suddenly propel Callum Hudson-Odoi back into the England frame, but it was a timely reminder of why he’s previously been capped and was once rated so highly at Chelsea. At 23, he’s young enough to still fulfil his initial potential – and today was a timely reminder of what he’s capable of.
Forest fans lower the tone
What is about visiting supporters at Anfield? Being vociferous of course, is perfectly acceptable, but today we saw another example of unsavoury and entirely unnecessary chanting. And signified a moment where Forest fans let themselves down.
Before kick off, Anfield paid an impeccable tribute to the late Ron Yeats, which ended with the Kop singing ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’. The Forest contingent responded with the ‘Sign on, sign on’ song, now notorious for mocking homeless and unemployed people. Has football not moved on from this?
