2024-09-14 22:35:03
A superb second-half goal from substitute Callum Hudson-Odoi gave Nottingham Forest the biggest surprise win of the Premier League season so far as they beat Liverpool 1-0 at Anfield.
The home side dominated the opening half and Luis Diaz hit a post in the 17th minute, but too often the Liverpool attackers found themselves on different wavelengths, and much of their play lacked their usual fluidity as chances went begging.
Their wastefulness was punished in the 72nd minute as Anthony Elanga found his fellow substitute Hudson-Odoi with a brilliant crossfield ball, and the 23-year-old winger cut inside before curling a tremendous effort past goalkeeper Alisson.
Having convincingly won all of their opening three league games under Arne Slot without conceding a goal, Liverpool looked short of ideas as they sought to come back. A Virgil van Dijk header from a corner that flew over was the closest they came to an equaliser.
Follow the action live below:
Liverpool FC 0 – 1 Nottingham Forest FC
17:06
Some 55 years after their last league win at Anfield, Nottingham Forest stun Liverpool by claiming all three points with a classic counter-attacking 1-0 victory. Nuno’s side hung tough for the first hour – with Diaz striking their post and Sels making a couple of smart saves – before introducing Elanga and Hudson-Odoi as substitutes to turn the game on its head. The former played the latter through to beat Alisson will a composed finish of the highest quality, and lacklustre Liverpool could not produce a late response. Despite having a final xG of 0.87 to Forest’s 0.6, the hosts see their unbeaten streak ended, and Slot suffers his first defeat as head coach. Meanwhile, Nuno can celebrate a tactical masterclass with his troops, who have accrued eight points from a possible 12 so far. Forest will try to build on this success when they visit Brighton next Sunday, while Liverpool have no time to feel sorry for themselves: they visit opening Champions League opponents Milan at San Siro, before hosting Bournemouth next weekend. That’s all from today’s live coverage, so thank you for joining us and gooodbye!
17:00
FULL-TIME: LIVERPOOL 0-1 NOTTINGHAM FOREST
16:56
Thoroughly frustrated by his team’s situation, Alexander-Arnold picks up the eighth booking of a highly competitive contest.
16:56
It’s a clear and obvious booking for Elanga, as he halts Liverpool’s counter-attack with a cynical foul near the halfway line.
16:54
There will be at least five minutes added for stoppages, so can Liverpool use them to find a last-gasp leveller? They’ve lost momentum since Forest went in front, but there will surely be one more good chance.
16:52
CLOSE! After Murillo blocks away Szoboszlai‘s thunderous 15-yard strike, a corner delivered from the right is then headed over Forest’s crossbar by Van Dijk! It was great defending in the first instance, and the away side are so close to seeing out a famous victory.
16:48
SAVE! Alisson keeps Liverpool in it! A long ball up from the back, flicked on by Jota Silva, suddenly sees Elanga scampering clear on the break. However, his well-struck effort from the edge of the area is parried away by the hosts’ goalkeeper! Then, Tsimikas eases Elanga off the ball when it looks like he could turn home the rebound!
16:46
Yellow Card Dominik Szoboszlai
16:44
Finally, Wood is withdrawn, and Jota Silva will be his replacement for the game’s closing minutes.
16:44
Morata makes his club debut, coming on for Gibbs-White.
16:44
Yellow Card Ryan Jiro Gravenberch
16:44
To freshen up his side for a probable Liverpool onslaught, Nuno makes a triple change. First, Moreno is replaced by ex-Liverpool defender Williams.
16:42
Nottingham Forest have at least avoided defeat in their last seven matches when scoring first in the Premier League, since a 3-2 loss to Brentford on 20th January. Can they retain this precious advantage today?
16:44
Struggling to find a clear route past Moreno, Salah decides to take a hopeful shot from an unlikely angle on the right. Sels stops it easily. Perhaps delivering a cross into the box would’ve been a better option there.
16:36
Substitution Ibrahima Konaté Curtis Julian Jones
16:36
Substitution Andrew Henry Robertson Konstantinos Tsimikas
16:34
Goal Callum James Hudson-Odoi
16:34
Another inswinging corner by Alexander-Arnold is flicked on and requires a fairly comfortable goal-line clearance by Aina; then, Gravenberch shoots tamely at Sels from the edge of the area.
16:32
A lovely flowing move by Forest – sparked by a velvet touch from Hudson-Odoi on the left flank – ends with Gibbs-White waywardly shooting over from the edge of the area. It promised so much more, though. The intoduction of Elanga and Hudson-Odoi has started to stretch Liverpool’s defence.
16:30
Liverpool have increased their share of possession from 66% during the first half to 73% since the interval, but to no avail. There are signs of frustration in several players’ body language, and the home fans are growing restless.
16:28
Yellow Card Matz Willy Els Sels
16:24
Slot’s subs are now ready to be introduced, and it’s a triple change for Liverpool. First, Diogo Jota makes way for Darwin Nunez.
16:24
After Alisson’s clearance falls short, leaving the Brazilian out of position outside his area, Nottingham Forest can’t quite engineer a quick shot to take advantage. Eventually, Gibbs-White tries his luck with a curler but sends it spiralling high over the crossbar.
16:24
Yellow Card Andrew Henry Robertson
16:24
Substitution Elliot Junior Anderson Anthony David Junior Elanga
16:24
Substitution Luis Fernando Díaz Marulanda Cody Mathès Gakpo
16:24
Substitution Alexis Mac Allister Conor Bradley
16:22
Robertson is caught flat-footed on the edge of Forest’s area, and Gravenberch also slightly overhits his pass. Otherwise, the full-back would have been clean through for a shot at goal. It looks like Liverpool are readying some substitutes.
16:20
Another glimmer of hope for Forest: Wood is sent through into the area and beats Konate, but Alisson makes a low save to deny him. The flag went up in any case, but perhaps the visitors can beat Liverpool’s offside trap next time.
16:16
Nuno makes a change early in the second half, as Hudson-Odoi is sent on to replace Dominguez. That will add a more direct threat to Nottingham Forest’s attack.
16:16
SELS SAVES! Some dazzling footwork from Salah gets the Egyptian winger past his marker, Moreno. He then opts against cutting the ball back into the six-yard box, instead unleashing a powerful strike towards the near post! Sels is alert and palms it away!
16:14
A rare attack for Forest breaks down when Gibbs-White strays into an offside position, and Nuno does not look at all pleased on the touchline. His team have got to be clinical with their opportunities, having yet to manage a single shot in this match.
16:12
There’s a familiar pattern developing early in the second half, as Liverpool pop passes around and Forest focus on closing down space. While the away side would take a draw, have they sufficient ambition to commit a few more men forward later in the game?
16:08
Liverpool kick off, and we are back under way at Anfield!
16:02
While picking up three more points will be Slot’s priority, he is now only 45 minutes or so away from becoming the first Premier League manager to have produced a clean sheet in each of their first four matches – only six have won all of their first four, most recently Maurizio Sarri with Chelsea in 2018.
15:58
In spite of their dominance – both in terms of possession and territory – Liverpool are being frustrated by Nottingham Forest at Anfield, where it remains goalless at half-time. Diaz struck the woodwork and Mac Allister forced a fine save from Sels, but the hosts could not break through their obdurate opponents, who are yet to have a single shot on target. Liverpool’s xG stands at 0.61 to Forest’s 0, and they will surely feel it’s just a matter of time before taking the lead. Slot’s side have still not conceded a goal this season, so it may take something special for the visitors to pull off an upset and post their first league win at Anfield for over 50 years.
15:52
HALF-TIME: LIVERPOOL 0-0 NOTTINGHAM FOREST
15:52
Set-piece specialist Ward-Prowse whips in a corner from the right, but Van Dijk rises highest in the six-yard box and clears his lines with a firm defensive header. That’s surely the final act of this first half.
15:50
In the first of at least three additional minutes, Yates follows Moreno into the referee’s notebook. The combative midfielder sees yellow for time-wasting, so he’ll have to tread more carefully now.
15:46
An untimely loose touch by Salah in the Forest box allows Moreno to intervene and snuff out any danger. It was a tremendous raking pass by Szoboszlai that created the chance, but it comes to nothing in the end.
15:46
Yellow Card Alexandre Moreno Lopera
15:46
It’s been a long half of graft for Nottingham Forest so far, and they are yet to produce a shot on target. Still, they will be delighted if this game stays goalless until half-time.
15:44
CLOSE ESCAPE! As the intense pressure on Forest’s area continues, Diogo Jota lashes a hopeful attempt into a nearby defender. Then, Diaz lofts a looping header towards the target, which Sels should field comfortably. However, it slips through his grasp and through his legs – the goalkeeper then manages to scramble it away from his goal-line!
15:42
SHARP STOP! Mac Allister is denied by Sels! The goalkeeper dives down to his left, pawing away the midfielder’s powerful header from an Alexander-Arnold cross! That’s as close as we’ve come to a goal so far.
15:40
Liverpool force Yates to concede a corner-kick on the left, which Alexander-Arnold takes. He whips it threateningly under the crossbar, apparently shooting for goal; Sels has to be alert and punches the ball away for another corner.
15:38
Liverpool have only lost once in their last 24 Premier League matches immediately following an international break, winning no fewer than 18. Perhaps a change of scenery helps in that regard, but will they claim three more points today?
15:36
Milenkovic stoops to head away Alexander-Arnold’s latest delivery from the right wing into the area, then a minor foul gifts Forest a free-kick deep inside their own territory. For all Liverpool’s dominance, they’ve only managed to produce one shot on target.
15:34
CLOSE! Meeting Robertson’s dangerous inswinging corner from the right, Van Dijk beats his marker but glances a header just wide of the left-hand post! That was close to breaking the deadlock, but Forest breathe a collective sigh of relief!
15:32
In their last 25 home league games against Nottingham Forest, Liverpool have won 20, including each of the last six. The evidence so far suggests that trend should continue today, and Opta’s live win-predictor suggests Slot’s side have a 68% chance of victory.
15:30
SAVE! An intelligent lofted pass by Mac Allister finds Diogo Jota haring into the six-yard box, but the latter can only prod his shot straight at Sels. It’s ultimately a straightforward save, but that perhaps should have been Liverpool’s opener!
15:28
At the end of a rapid breakaway, Gibbs-White surges clear down the left-centre of the pitch and seems certain to score a classic counter-attacking goal. However, he totally fluffs his finish, steering it well wide, before the flag is raised for offside.
15:26
A swinging arm from Yates clatters Mac Allister in the face, and the medics rush on to assess Liverpool’s Argentinian midfielder. After a brief break in proceedings, a drop-ball then gets the action back under way; Mac Allister is then cleared to continue.
15:24
A delightful outside-of-the-boot cross by Salah picks out Szoboszlai in the box, but the latter can’t get any control over his header and the attack breaks down. It’s all Liverpool now.
15:22
OFF THE POST! When Yates fails to shepherd the ball over the byline, Diaz steals in and snatches possession from the Forest captain. He then drives inside and fires a low shot against the base of the left-hand post! Luckily for the visitors, it bounces away to safety.
15:20
All 10 of Nottingham Forest’s blue-and-white-clad players are back within their own half now, as Liverpool try to step up a gear and force an opening goal. It feels like it could come soon.
15:18
A quick break from the visitors sees Aina and Yates combine on the right, but a low throughball by Dominguez has too much power for Aina to collect on the right byline. It’s a Liverpool goal-kick, which will give Alisson a rare touch of the ball.
15:16
Moreno has a big task on his hands today, as Salah and Alexander-Arnold are linking up regularly down the Spanish full-back’s side of the pitch. Extra support is being brought in from Forest’s midfield.
15:14
Liverpool have had 73% of the ball thus far, and they are crisply passing it about in midfield, probing for a gap in Nottingham Forest’s defence. The visitors have stayed disciplined, though, despite being starved of possession.
15:12
After Salah skins Moreno on the right, Szoboszlai carelessly loses the ball, but Liverpool soon win it back. Then, Salah’s superb reverse pass from the edge of the area narrowly fails to pick out Diaz near the byline. The hosts are slowly building some pressure.
15:08
Robertson is back on the scene following that minor injury, and Liverpool have all 11 men on the pitch. The early momentum has been with the home side, and Forest are being consigned to their own half.
15:08
The game is paused while Robertson receives medical attention for a blow to the head, following what seemed to be an innocuous midfield challenge. Soon, he is helped off and the action resumes without Liverpool’s left-back.
15:06
Alexander-Arnold earns an early corner, which Robertson swings in from the right. However, Salah’s first touch is loose at the back post, allowing Aina an opportunity to shepherd the ball back towards Sels.
15:04
Wearing light blue, Nottingham Forest kick off. We are under way in Liverpool!
15:02
The players are out on the pitch at Anfield, and we are now just moments from kick-off in this Premier League contest!
14:58
Meanwhile, Forest make four changes to their XI. Yates, Dominguez, Moreno and Ward-Prowse come in for Williams, Elangs, Hudson-Odoi and the injured Ibrahim Sangare; the latter joins Danilo and Willy Boly on the sidelines. Wood leads the visitors’ attack, so ex-Liverpool striker Awoniyi starts on the bench.
14:58
A fortnight on from their win over Manchester United, Liverpool are unchanged today, so Salah, Diaz and Diogo Jota join forces up front. Federico Chiesa is still not included in the hosts’ squad, while Harvey Elliott will be absent for several weeks with a broken foot.
14:52
SUBS: Carlos Miguel, Morato, Neco Williams, Taiwo Awoniyi, Andrew Omobamidele, Callum Hudson-Odoi, Harry Toffolo, Jota Silva, Anthony Elanga.
14:46
NOTTINGHAM FOREST (4-2-3-1): Matz Sels; Ola Aina, Nikola Milenkovic, Murillo, Alex Moreno; Ryan Yates, Nicolas Dominguez; Elliot Anderson, James Ward-Prowse, Morgan Gibbs-White; Chris Wood.
14:42
SUBS: Caoimhin Kelleher, Joe Gomez, Wataru Endo, Darwin Nunez, Curtis Jones, Cody Gakpo, Kostas Tsimikas, Jarell Quansah, Conor Bradley.
14:42
LIVERPOOL (4-2-3-1): Alisson Becker; Trent Alexander-Arnold, Ibrahima Konate, Virgil van Dijk, Andy Robertson; Ryan Gravenberch, Alexis Mac Allister; Mohamed Salah, Dominik Szoboszlai, Luis Diaz; Diogo Jota.
14:36
Nottingham Forest are also undefeated in the Premier League this season, following a 1-1 home draw against Wolves just before the international break. Stretching back to the end of last term, Forest are unbeaten in four – their longest such run under Nuno Espírito Santo, and also since February 2023. When the two sides most recently met, Liverpool were 1-0 winners at the City Ground last season, with Darwin Nunez dramatically scoring the only goal deep into second-half stoppage time.
14:36
Having swatted aside old foes Manchester United last time out, Liverpool will return from a two-week hiatus aiming to extend their perfect start to the Premier League season. Arne Slot’s side have won all three games so far, while keeping a clean sheet on each occasion, an they could now become only the fifth team in English top-flight history to win each of their opening four fixtures without conceding. The Reds are unbeaten in 25 league games against Nottingham Forest at Anfield, winning 20 times and last losing in 1969.
14:30
Hello and welcome to live coverage of today’s Premier League clash between Liverpool and Nottingham Forest at Anfield!
13:56 , Karl Matchett
And the Forest line-up – more conservative today, with no Elanga or Hudson-Odoi in a three-pronged attack. Both are on Nuno’s bench.
NFO XI: Sels, Aina, Milenkovic, Murillo, Moreno, Anderson, Ward-Prowse, Dominguez, Yates, Gibbs-White, Wood
13:49 , Karl Matchett
Teams are in and no changes for Liverpool from their win over Man United before the international break. No Chiesa on the bench either – he has to wait for his debut after signing just before the deadline.
LIV XI: Alisson, Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson, Gravenberch, Mac Allister, Szoboszlai, Salah, Diaz, Jota
13:00
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