If something sums up Liverpool’s season thus far, it is that they reasonably fought their strategy to a 1-0 win in opposition to Nottingham Forest on Sunday afternoon.
The beginning of their marketing campaign was stuffed with last-gasp targets. And whereas their luck on this division has been slipping in current months, they got here again with a bang this weekend.
Arne Slott’s males had been removed from the most effective. When have they been at their finest this time period? Sadly, the Dutch aspect took all three factors because of Alexis Mac Allister’s late successful purpose.
This victory vastly raised hopes of qualifying for subsequent season’s Champions League. They’re at present 5 factors behind Brentford, with 45 factors, stage with Manchester United in fifth place and Chelsea in fourth place.
How Liverpool fell behind to beat Forest
Reality be advised, it was a foul time to be enjoying for Nottingham Forest. The Portuguese, who joined Vitor Pereira as his fourth supervisor this season, was in control of the Midlands aspect in his first Premier League recreation.
His crew had defeated Fenerbahce in Europe impressively just some days earlier and went into this recreation with newfound confidence.
Their confidence was clearly evident, particularly within the first half. Actually, Forrest ought to have been invisible. On the half-time whistle, the guests had simply two photographs on purpose. As a comparability, the host managed 12.
Moreover, they managed simply 171 passes and 41% possession, in comparison with Forest’s 245 passes and 59% possession.
Nonetheless, the script flipped within the second half. This time Liverpool had been the dominant crew, having 66% possession and finishing over 130 extra passes than Pereira’s aspect. Nonetheless, there was additionally a component of luck of their victory. VAR’s determination went in opposition to them, then went of their favor.
Mac Allister discovered the web twice however was solely counted as soon as. The primary purpose was a weird one, though it was canceled out after Ola Aina’s clearance hit a Liverpool midfielder’s elbow and went into the web.
Nonetheless, there was some debate over the Argentine’s eventual winner, which necessitated one other VAR intervention, which finally labored. Virgil van Dijk saved his header and Mac Allister was just some yards out from scoring.
Victory could have been assured, however general Liverpool’s efficiency was poor. There have been a number of gamers who had been accountable for that.
Liverpool’s worst efficiency in opposition to Forest
Mac Allister will admire the best way Forest take care of their backline, as will Van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate.
However as ESPN’s Beth Lindop put it, that assault was “non-existent” on the Metropolis Floor. Hugo Ekitike performed the total 90 minutes however missed a golden likelihood for Liverpool to win with just some yards left within the second interval when his header was denied by Stefan Ortega.
Nonetheless, each Mo Salah and Kodi Gakpo had been withdrawn from the case early on. That wasn’t stunning both.
It has been a tough season for each wingers and, like many of the 2025/26 season, Salah has been removed from his common self, failing to finish a single dribble and dropping the ball 20 instances and not using a shot.
Gakpo wasn’t that good. In actual fact, he was in all probability even worse. The Dutchman is in an actual drought, having scored only one purpose in his final 12 league video games. On Sunday afternoon, there was little indication that he would break that undesirable file.
Gakupo vs Forest | |
|---|---|
Play time (minutes) | 77 |
contact | 30 |
actual path | 11/17 (65%) |
key cross | 0 |
correct cross | 1/2 (50%) |
shot | 1 |
shot on the right track | 0 |
dribbling success | 0/1 |
Gained a floor duel | 6/7 |
received an aerial battle | 0/1 |
lack of possession | 8 instances |
In actual fact, like Salah, Gakpo was notably unknown up entrance, registering only one shot and failing to dribble efficiently.
To make issues worse, he has fewer touches than goalkeeper Alisson (54) and solely 11 passes, which is pathetic for a participant of his high quality. Mix that with the truth that he did not full any vital passes, and it isn’t too stunning that Liverpool’s assault was removed from its finest on the Metropolis Floor.
Whereas Gakpo has been unwell in current months and Salah is commonly handled by a specialist, the identical can’t be stated for the Dutch winger.
There isn’t a doubt that the time has come for Rio Ngmoha to be given a beginning function over Liverpool’s underperforming left winger.
‘Worst participant…’ – Carragher slams Liverpool and no-good gamers after dropping the ball 12 instances in opposition to Forest
Sky Sports activities pundits had been unimpressed with one participant’s efficiency…
