Liverpool (A) 22/11/25

Liverpool 0-3 Nottingham Forest

                                  Murillo 33'

                                  Savona 46'

                                  Gibbs-White 78'

Last time out at Anfield felt like a dream. Our first win there in 55 years; something many generations were experiencing for the first time. We’ve been so used to losing away to Cardiff and Middleborough but now we were thinking: we couldn’t win in Merseyside again, could we?

Despite beating Leeds 3-1 just before the international break, the Reds have been trapped in the relegation zone for the majority of the season. Since the appointment of Sean Dyche, there has been improvement, his side have only one loss in five. After winning their first five games, Liverpool have had a steep drop off in form, losing five out of their last six in the league. Forest were yet to win away from home this campaign but they had the opportunity to make it three league games unbeaten against Liverpool for the first time since 1993.

Dyche named an unchanged starting eleven from Forest’s much needed victory against Leeds. There could be a case for starting Omari Hutchinson after his bright cameo off the bench but Forest fans are yet to find out his defensive qualities. Arne Slot made five changes to his team that lost 3-0 at the Etihad. The most notable change was preferred ‘keeper Alisson replaced Mamardashvili.

No matter the host’s recent form, coming away to the Champions will always be difficult but from the off Forest started bright, pressing and having some possession. This didn’t last long as Liverpool started to show their quality as they created some good opportunities.

On the left, Cody Gakpo managed to get past Nicolo Savona and he broke into the box. His attempt of a low cross into the danger area was cut out by Elliot Anderson but it landed back at the feet of Mac Allister. The Argentinian took on the finish first try but once again Anderson was there for his team, blocking the ball with his head just as it looked to be flying in. The hosts continued their pursuit of an opener but everything thrown at Forest was dealt with. They were blocking shots, clearing danger and getting their head to everything first.

This 25 minutes of resolute defending really set the tone for the rest of the afternoon for the visitors. They had seen off danger and then had gone and got themselves in front. Anderson whipped in a corner from the left which evaded everyone at the near post. Luckily, it landed for Murillo who took a touch before thundering a shot right into the bottom left corner. He deserved a goal for his defensive effort at the other end.

Just three minutes later, Forest thought they had another. Savona quickly played a throw in from the right to Sangare. The Ivorian noticed his teammates in the box so he fired in a delightful ball. Igor Jesus bought it down before hitting the shot on the volley through his laces and into the bottom left corner. On field, the referee, Andy Madley, deemed that Jesus had used his arm to bring down the ball so he disallowed the goal. However, on replay, the striker chested it down and the goal was wrongly ruled out.  

Liverpool would hope to come out in the second half fighting for a quick equaliser. Their hope would fade after just 39 seconds. Savona’s over hit pass from the right was recycled by his teammates. Dominguez saw Williams’ run into the box and played to him. The Welshman turned past Mac Allister before looking up to see the run of Savona. The unmarked Italian opened his foot up to finish first time into the top right corner from ten yard out. Anfield silenced apart from a small section in the bottom tier of the Anfield Road End where it was carnage.

Despite dominating as they looked for a way back into the game, Liverpool lacked any quality in front of goal. It looked difficult to see where a goal would come from. Credit had to go to Forest as they continued to put bodies on the line. Their hard work paid off as they grabbed a third to ultimately seal the win. Whilst the hosts were switched off, Murillo cleverly played a free-kick out to Hutchinson in space on the right. He bought the ball down before driving into the box and getting past both Robertson and Ngumoha. He got a shot away which was well saved by Alisson but it was straight into the path of Gibbs-White who calmly rolled the ball into the bottom right corner.

In the dying minutes, trying to hold onto the clean sheet was Murillo who seemed to be there for Forest all afternoon. The ball dropped to Chiesa to get a consolation goal but Murillo made himself big to block the shot just before the referee blew for full time. Forest now have back-to-back wins at Anfield for the first time since 1963 and they climb out the relegation zone. Liverpool failed to score in a league game for the first time since they lost in the same fixture last season.

The feeling after that is a mixture of shock and pride. I can’t believe we’ve managed to win at Anfield again but also that we’ve just scored three goals there. I am also proud of the performance that we put out. We were really putting bodies on the line all game and there was also a huge team mentality. If one player wasn’t there another one was backing them up and there was such a huge fight. A big thing for Forest has been not being clinical when we need to be but we took our important chances. My man of the match had to be Murillo for not only his goal but he seemed to be the one who was blocking and clearing the most. I am disappointed Jesus’ goal was ruled out because he played so well,  he deserved one and it would give him huge confidence.

Liverpool: Alisson; Szoboszlai, Konate (Ekitike 55’), Van Dijk, Kerkez (Robertson 68’); Jones (Ngumoha 78’), Gravenberch, Mac Allister; Salah, Isak (Chiesa 68’), Gakpo

Forest: Sels: Savona, Milenkovic, Murillo, Williams: Ndoye (Hudson-Odoi 86’), Sangare, Anderson, Dominguez (Hutchinson 61’); Gibbs-White, Jesus (Yates 86’)