The clear sheets, snug wins and all-round Arne Slot love-in got here to a surprising finish because the Reds had been overwhelmed 1-0 at Anfield by the different Reds, Nottingham Forest nicking the factors and shutting out our assault.
Liverpool 0-1 Nottingham Forest
Premier League (4), Anfield
September 14, 2024
Objective: Hudson-Odoi 71′
Alisson – 6 (out of 10)
Had a stunning view of the afternoon soccer for about an hour then saved one right down to his left simply.
Solely had two extra issues to do within the sport; sadly one was a belter of a strike into his backside nook for his first conceded purpose of the season earlier than he later denied Elanga one-on-one.
Trent Alexander-Arnold – 6 (Man of the Match)
A few first rate deliveries and one first-half nook which noticed him go straight for purpose – caught underneath the bar by the keeper.
Second half he performed just a few good passes from deep and eyebrows would positively have been raised when Bradley was prepared to return on – however Trent as an alternative was pushed into midfield, an actual No. 8 position this time in what was rapidly a ‘true’ 4-3-3.
Saved the ball transferring rapidly sufficient even with no immense creativity. First full 90 of the season, booked late on.
Ibrahima Konate – 6
Aerially sturdy after we wanted him to be, confirmed that restoration tempo we depend on at occasions. However the purpose got here with a run previous and inside him, bending into the far nook.
Virgil van Dijk – 7
Dominant to clear Forest’s succession of excessive balls and set-pieces, significantly close to the tip of the primary half.
Not a lot he might provide past what he did, blocking out just a few dribbles and clearing no matter he wanted to. No massive moments of hazard got here down his facet. Headed simply over late on.
Andy Robertson – 4
At all times appeared a yard quick on 50-50s, flowing strikes and overlapping runs, then additionally from a by move which might have seen him into the field.
Crushed by Elanga inside a minute of him approaching and booked. Not his most interesting outing of the marketing campaign, most likely lucky to not be subbed earlier.
Ryan Gravenberch – 6
Again on the base for essentially the most half and a robust displaying together with his restoration work and skill to prove of challenges, whereas just a few by balls from deep had been as progressive as Liverpool bought at occasions too.
Alexis Mac Allister – 6
Some neat through-balls and one shot on course most likely made him the stand-out performer within the first half, but it surely wasn’t too notable and it wasn’t by a lot in a low-key restart to the Reds’ league proceedings.
He was changed on the hour mark however which may have been extra to do with worldwide break travels and a knock he took with Argentina than anything.
Dominik Szoboszlai – 4
Misplaced too many passes within the first half and greater than as soon as held up play when the Reds would have benefitted from faster distribution.
Moved left of centre when Mac Allister went off and didn’t actually make something occur past a late shot, deflected simply broad. Actually poor outing.
Mo Salah – 4
Very quiet first half and spurned an awesome probability close to the tip when his contact wasn’t fairly ok to take a protracted move underneath his spell.
Rapidly made an opportunity after the restart with a twisting dribble and right-footed strike, however getting pissed off quickly after and took just a few swing-and-miss wild efforts.
Most infuriating of all had been his succession of wasted sq. balls throughout the field, none of which discovered their mark and wasted first rate positions.
Diogo Jota – 6
Had a few moments the place he linked play neatly or turned effectively to win a foul, whereas his finest sight of purpose within the opening exchanges noticed him side-foot on the keeper from a clumsy top.
A good displaying of motion and endeavour, however by no means actually any massive purpose risk or skill to trend possibilities for others.
Luis Diaz – 6
Some nice work to trend an opportunity from nothing within the first half, however simply scratched the submit with it. Nearly scored a crazy nothing header too when the ‘keeper dropped it between his personal legs!
Didn’t have as explosive a match total however we have now to issue within the South American journey exertions to that.
Substitutes
Darwin Nunez (on for Jota, 60′) – 5 – We would have liked his chaos, we solely bought his poor touches.
Cody Gakpo (on for Diaz, 60′) – 5 – Provided completely nothing by way of power, creativity, pace or taking pictures.
Conor Bradley (on for Mac Allister, 60′) – 4 – Crushed twice in 10 minutes by the identical participant, first for a giant probability after which a purpose.
Kostas Tsimikas (on for Robertson, 74′) – 5 – Odd half-position for him, form of centre-back but in addition broad at occasions. Didn’t work.
Curtis Jones (on for Konate, 74′) – 5 – First look of the season, not a lot to point out for it.
Subs not used: Kelleher, Gomez, Quansah, Endo
Arne Slot – 3
His first style of the post-international break malaise that Liverpool like to convey forth and topic followers to.
Didn’t seem like too massive a fan of it, as he gave the starters 10 minutes after the break after which began readying the troops for a triple change.
We haven’t seen an excessive amount of in the best way of main tactical alterations to the primary plan from Slot simply but, so this was a turn-up in that regard; a chop-and-change with Trent into midfield, then one other double sub to ship us to a again three…form of. It was a muddle, truthful to say.
Briefly, the adjustments not working was the larger subject. Slot spoke within the week about needing to rotate extra at Anfield than he did at Feyenoord; one of these match reveals why that’s so vital – not simply in bodily phrases however in getting larger performances out of some gamers.
Regardless, by choice, subs or half-time workforce discuss, Slot didn’t get a response from his facet this time, the primary time it hasn’t occurred and never nice timing: dwelling, earlier than the Champions League begins towards a bottom-half workforce.
Honeymoon is over, now the realisation of the job has to set in. Slot should get it proper, instantly.
