Liverpool vs Nottingham Forest Player Ratings: Who Let Their Guard Down for the Winning Goal? Which Players Had a Forgettable Performance? And Why the Man of the Match is Poised for a Big Transfer Move!

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Liverpool suffered their first defeat under Arne Slot as they were beaten 1-0 at home by Nottingham Forest.

Substitute Callum Hudson-Odoi scored the only goal of the game for Forest in the 72nd minute.

Liverpool had won their first three Premier League games of the season before suffering this setback. 

Meanwhile, it is a second league win of the season for Forest. 

Here, Mail Sport’s Lewis Steele assesses the best and worst performers from the clash at Anfield.

Callum Hudson-Odoi scored the only goal as Nottingham Forest overcame Liverpool

 

LIVERPOOL

(4-2-3-1)

Alisson Becker – 5

Had nothing to do in the first half as Forest managed just one shot on target. Got down well to thwart Wood in the second half – though the offside flag was then raised. But could he have done better with Hudson-Odoi’s goal?

Trent Alexander-Arnold – 6

Popped up everywhere, from the defensive midfield position in the centre to out wide right when Salah tucked up and even on the left to create a good chance that Sels nearly spilled into his own goal.

Ibrahima Konate – 5.5

Lanky striker Wood was a tough test on paper but the New Zealander barely had a sniff in the opening stages. Neither him or Van Dijk could do much about the goal.

Virgil van Dijk – 6

The captain’s main contribution in the first half was in an attacking sense and Van Dijk saw a header narrowly go wide as he did not connect well enough.

Andy Robertson – 5 (Booked)

Clearly targeted Sels with some testing, in-swinging corners that caused some problems. Got up and down the left flank well. Beaten too easily by Elanga on the counter-attack for Forest’s goal.

Ryan Gravenberch – 6

Had a lot on his hands as Forest packed the centre of midfield but another test passed for the Dutchman. Made some nice forays forward.

Alexis Mac Allister – 6.5

The Argentine was in the wars with Forest midfielder Yates and on the receiving end of some tough tackles. Had some chances to score, going close with a header late in the first half which was well saved. Created a shooting opportunity for Jota with a lovely outside-of-the-foot pass.

Alexis Mac Allister had some chances to score for Liverpool but was unable to find the net

Alexis Mac Allister had some chances to score for Liverpool but was unable to find the net

Mohamed Salah – 6

A few heavy or sloppy touches early on but was always Liverpool’s main source of danger. Made a lovely cross for Szoboszlai in the first half which the Hungary captain nearly converted. Had several wasteful moments.

Dominik Szoboszlai – 5 (Booked)

Had a good chance with his head midway through the first half after a lung-busting late run into the penalty area. Did not replicate his stellar performances of the first three games of the season and created little.

It was a frustrating afternoon for Dominik Szoboszlai as he didn't create many chances

It was a frustrating afternoon for Dominik Szoboszlai as he didn’t create many chances

Luis Diaz – 6

Great alertness to win the ball off Yates on the touchline in the first half saw him have the best chance of the first half as he rattled the near post. Substituted on 60 minutes and did not offer enough going forward.

Diogo Jota – 5

Should have done better with a chance on 26 minutes as Mac Allister put a beautiful cross into his path. Not his best afternoon by any stretch.

Substitutes

Darwin Nunez (for Jota, 60) – 6

Conor Bradley (for Mac Allister, 60) – 6

Cody Gakpo (for Diaz, 60) – 6

Kostas Tsimikas (for Robertson, 75) – 6

Curtis Jones (for Konate, 75) – 6 (Booked)

Not used: Caoimhin Kelleher, Joe Gomez, Wataru Endo, Curtis Jones, Kostas Tsimikas, Jarell Quansah.

 

NOTTINGHAM FOREST (4-3-2-1)

Matz Sels – 7 (Booked)

A very lucky boy on 40 minutes when he nearly fumbled a regulation stop into his own goal by getting his hands mixed up. Earned his luck, though, with some nice stops otherwise in both halves.

Ola Aina – 7

Enjoyed his battle with Diaz and limited the Colombian’s space with tight marking. Offered an outlet down the right wing going forward but suffered from a lack of service. Cleared one off the line in the second half.

Nikola Milenkovic – 8

Serbian is looking good during his first weeks in the Premier League and this was another assured performance with some vital interventions. Neither Jota or Nunez had a sniff.

Murillo – 8.5 (MOTM)

Would not be a surprise if Murillo gets a big move next summer. Started his Premier League career well last season and looked solid here again with several key interceptions, blocks and clearances. Played a delightful pass to set Gibbs-White through on goal, too.

Murillo put in an excellent performance for Forest and could get a big move next summer

Murillo put in an excellent performance for Forest and could get a big move next summer

Alex Moreno – 7.5 (Booked)

Did well on 43 minutes to recover after originally misjudging a long ball. The former Aston Villa man stood up well to in-form Salah, who never looked like scoring.

James Ward-Prowse – 7.5

Played  a big role off the ball for Forest as the Englishman broke up several threatening counter-attacks. Added calm to the middle of the park.

Ryan Yates – 7

Sloppy early on as he was ushering the ball out of play but failed to notice Diaz behind him and was robbed in possession. Lucky to not be booked early on for several fouls but his aggression was needed in Forest’s midfield.

Elliott Anderson – 7

The  former Newcastle man, signed for £35million this summer, played well and put in a lot of hard yards defensively. Offered little going forward, which can be said about most Forest midfielders in truth.

Nicolas Dominguez – 6.5

Was one of five central midfielders for Forest as the away side looked to limit spaces. Offered little going forward but put in a solid shift.

Morgan Gibbs-White – 7.5

The main man for Forest and played a part in every good attack for the visitors, also putting in a good defensive shift. Clearly confident after making his international debut for England last week.

Morgan Gibbs-White is the main man for Forest and he was involved in their key attacks

Morgan Gibbs-White is the main man for Forest and he was involved in their key attacks

Chris Wood – 7 

Isolated but put himself about and caused a nuisance throughout.

Substitutes

Callum Hudson-Odoi (for Dominguez, 53) – 8 – Brilliant finish to put Forest ahead, dispatched perfectly into the far corner.

Anthony Elanga (for Anderson, 60) – 7.5

Morato

(for Wood, 81)

Neco Williams (for Moreno, 81)

Jota Silva (for Gibbs-White, 81)

Not used:

Carlos Miguel, Taiwo Awoniyi, Andrew Omobamidele, Harry Toffolo.

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