Liverpool suffered a surprising 0-1 defeat against Nottingham Forest at Anfield, in what marked a difficult afternoon for Arne Slot. In a match dominated by the home side in terms of possession and chances, Forest struck through a Callum Hudson-Odoi goal in the 72nd minute to claim all three points. Despite the high expectations for the Anfield side this season after a decent start, the result highlighted inefficiencies both defensively and in trying to break down a resolute Forest defence.
The shock result will certainly be seen as a rude awakening for Slot, who had enjoyed a positive start to his tenure. Liverpool controlled much of the game with 70% possession, but their inability to convert chances and lack of cutting edge in key moments led to their downfall.
Liverpool Player Ratings
Liverpool's performance was marked by inconsistency, with several players failing to shine when needed most. Virgil van Dijk stood out as one of the better performers, securing a solid rating of 7.3, controlling the defence and attempting to push forward. Trent Alexander-Arnold and Ibrahima Konaté also showed promise, both receiving respectable ratings of 6.3 and 6.7, respectively, though they were unable to prevent Forest from breaking through late in the match.
However, the midfield and attack struggled to assert dominance. Ryan Gravenberch and Alexis Mac Allister both earned 6.7, but were outplayed in the decisive moments. Mohamed Salah, normally a game-changer, could not influence proceedings as expected and registered a 6.5 rating, reflective of his quiet afternoon.
Here are the player ratings for Liverpool:
Nottingham Forest Player Ratings
Nottingham Forest, despite being dominated for long periods, showcased defensive resilience and took their opportunity when it came. Goalkeeper Matz Sels was immense between the sticks, earning a 7.6 rating for his numerous saves that kept Liverpool at bay. Left-back Alex Moreno was also key to Forest's defensive effort, achieving an impressive 7.7 rating, while James Ward-Prowse dictated play in midfield with a solid 6.8.
On the offensive side, Forest didn’t offer much but Callum Hudson-Odoi made the most of his substitute appearance, scoring the decisive goal and earning a 7.0 rating. Meanwhile, Chris Wood struggled to make an impact up front, managing only a 5.2 rating.
Here are the player ratings for Nottingham Forest:
Best Player of the Match - Matz Sels
The standout performer of the match was Nottingham Forest goalkeeper Matz Sels. His 7.6 rating reflected his crucial role in keeping Liverpool at bay, with several key saves ensuring his side's clean sheet and eventual victory. Without his commanding performance in goal, Forest might have succumbed to the overwhelming pressure Liverpool applied.
Worst Player on the Pitch - Chris Wood
On the other hand, Chris Wood struggled to make any meaningful contribution for Forest. His 5.2 rating reflected a frustrating afternoon in which he was largely isolated and ineffective in spearheading his team's attack. Having said that, Forest were always going to be on the backfoot and defending for most of the game, so Woods being marked down is no surprise.
