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Heading into Saturday’s clash, Liverpool had not lost at home to Nottingham Forest since 1969, but were undone by Nuno Espirito Santo’s scrappy side, who turned in a remarkably strong defensive performance as Arne Slot was handed his first competitive defeat as manager.
Luis Diaz had the first major chance, as he chased a lost cause, won the ball high up the pitch, and hit the post with a low effort. Alexis Mac Allister also twice tested Matz Sels in the first half and his header almost led to a horrendous mistake, as the goalkeeper claimed the ball, then dropped it and almost backheeled it into his own net.
Throughout the second half, Liverpool dominated possession and territory, but found it difficult to work their way in behind Forest, and Slot made a bizarre triple change, taking off his best player in Mac Allister, and leaving on the increasingly ineffective Mohamed Salah.
And they were punished in the 72nd minute, as Callum Hudson-Odoi cut in off the left flank and curled a brilliant drive in off the post to secure a 1-0 win for visitors.
GOAL rates Liverpool’s players from Anfield…
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Getty Images SportGoalkeeper & Defence
Alisson Becker (6/10):
Rarely tested until Hudson-Odoi scored; he didn’t even move. Maybe saw it late but could have done better. Made an excellent late save from Elanga to keep the Reds alive.
Trent Alexander-Arnold (6/10):
Attempted to score from a corner, forcing a save. Some lovely passing, as always, but something lacking defensively as the goal came down his side.
Ibrahima Konate (7/10):
Absolutely monstrous in the air. Strong defensively and with his distribution, but was subbed with 15 minutes left as Slot went to a back-three.
Virgil van Dijk (6/10):
Characteristically calm and composed. Was never going to be beaten himself, as he stood up to Forest’s pacey attack, but was nowhere to be seen when Hudson-Odoi cut inside before his goal.
Andrew Robertson (5/10):
Struggled to get into the final third and affect the game. Did fine defensively. Booked in the second half and was subbed.
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AFPMidfield
Ryan Gravenberch (6/10):
Some excellent drives forward from midfield. Assiduous in his tidying up too, although he could maybe do more in the opposition half.
Dominik Szoboszlai (6/10):
Made a real impact in the air, as he was never beaten. Couldn’t unpick Forest’s defence, however.
Alexis Mac Allister (8/10):
Some superb midfield play as he was the only player capable of opening Forest up, and forced an excellent save with a great first-half header. Bizarrely subbed, because he was Liverpool’s best player.
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AFPAttack
Mohamed Salah (4/10):
His final touch seemed to desert him, as he repeatedly got into promising positions and lost the ball. As close to an anonymous Salah performance as you’re going to see.
Diogo Jota (4/10):
Struggled to get in behind Forest’s defence and couldn’t trouble Sels often enough. Replaced by Nunez.
Luis Diaz (5/10):
Hit the post early on after some superb pressing. Faded and was subbed in the second half, replaced by Gakpo.
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Getty Images SportSubs & Manager
Darwin Nunez (6/10):
On for Jota. A chaotic presence but he didn’t have a chance to score.
Conor Bradley (5/10):
On for Mac Allister. Had nothing like the same impact and was asked to drop into defence. Pulled down Hudson-Odoi in the box but no penalty was awarded.
Cody Gakpo (5/10):
On for Diaz. Barely had an opportunity to run at Forest.
Kostas Tsimikas (N/A):
Replaced Robertson.
Curtis Jones (N/A):
Replaced Konate.
Arne Slot (3/10):
Made a bold change on the hour as he took off his best player in Mac Allister, as well as Jota and Diaz; it did not work. Also moved to a back-three late on but it only served to invite more Forest pressure. A dismal day; neither big tactical decision worked.
