The second-half goal by Callum Hudson-Odoi doomed the Merseysiders to their first loss of the campaign, despite the awful performance of the Egypt international.
Nuno Espirito Santo’s resilient team produced an exceptionally great defensive effort to hand Arne Slot his first competitive loss as manager. Prior to Saturday’s match, Liverpool had not lost at home against Nottingham Forest since 1969.
The first significant opportunity fell to Luis Diaz, who won the ball high on the pitch, chased a lost cause, and easily struck the post. In the first half, Alexis Mac Allister also put Matz Sels to the test twice. His header nearly caused the goalkeeper to make a terrible error when he grabbed the ball, dropped it, and nearly backheeled it into his own net.
Liverpool controlled territory and possession throughout the second half, but they were unable to go past Forest. Slot made an odd triple substitution, substituting Mohamed Salah for Mac Allister, his finest player, who was becoming less and less effective.
And they got their reward in the 72nd minute, as Callum Hudson-Odoi cut in off the left flank and curled a superb shot in off the post to secure a 1-0 win the visitors.
On the hour, Arne Slot made a risky decision by benching Jota, Diaz, and Mac Allister, his strongest player; it did not succeed. Eventually switched to a back-three as well, but it did nothing but encourage additional Forest pressure. Poor day; neither strategic move paid off.
