Liverpool overpowered Nottingham Forest as expected, with Mohamed Salah enjoying the final laugh after a couple of tough early moments. This is what we discovered.
As Nottingham Forest ‘forgets’ a new rule, Liverpool punishes Mo Salah with nutmeg.
Liverpool easily defeated Nottingham Forest, with Mohamed Salah having the last laugh after a couple of tough early moments. This is what we found.
LIVERPOOL, ANFIELD // Football took a back place today, with the tragic news out of Colombia that Luis Daz’s parents had been kidnapped overshadowing the game. He was naturally left out of the squad for the match against Nottingham Forest.
Jürgen Klopp is the first to admit that his team sheet is insignificant in the broad scheme of things. However, he was still able to choose a powerful Liverpool assault, with Diogo Jota joining Mohamed Salah and Darwin Nez.
The fact that it was he who started the scoring demonstrated Klopp’s depth. Jota celebrated by holding aloft a Daz shirt, a mark of class appreciated by all four sides of Anfield.
Nez would add another before halftime, as Liverpool never seemed in danger even when Salah capitalized on a weird Matt Turner error to seal victory. Here are four things Liverpool.com saw as the game progressed.
Nez would add another before halftime, as Liverpool never seemed in danger even when Salah capitalized on a weird Matt Turner error to seal victory. Here are four things Liverpool.com saw as the game progressed.
Liverpool has had the final laugh after ‘nutmeg’ Salah.
It didn’t take long for Salah’s weekly expression of legitimate skepticism to emerge. Murillo, a Nottingham Forest defender, was the culprit this time, having escaped punishment for hauling the Egyptian to the ground from under his elbows.
However, despite Murillo’s full use of the special code that permits the Liverpool talisman to be abused with impunity, it must be stated that it was a largely solid performance. A few moments later, he nutmegged Salah before delivering a pass in behind for Anthony Elanga, which was an eye-catching moment.
In a game where Nottingham Forest didn’t get much of a chance to show off anything in possession, he displayed a tidiness that may have caught Liverpool’s eye — though one risk too many allowed Klopp’s side in for the opener, and Jota will feel he ultimately punished Murillo for his fearlessness and cheek. However, as previously stated, his profile is intriguing from a transfer standpoint.
Daz’s comments on Anfield
Following in the footsteps of Jota and his celebration, Anfield demonstrated its support for Daz. Throughout the stadium, his name was chanted.
It was a nice gesture, typical of Liverpool fans. It is apparent that You’ll Never Walk Alone symbolizes something in times of adversity.
Already forgotten new rule
Remember how, at the outset of the season, time-wasting was strictly prohibited? As is typical of these endeavors, it lasted only a few weeks before fizzling out.
It’s no surprise that consistency is lacking, as some continue to try to implement the new directions while others revert to the status quo. Chris Kavanagh appears to be in the latter group, having chosen to dismiss goalie Turner’s multiple instances of timewasting.
The former Arsenal goalkeeper might have been sent out after receiving two yellow cards in the opening 20 minutes, which tells you all you need to know about Nottingham Forest’s game plan. Despite the Kop’s best efforts to draw this to the referee’s attention, the minutes slipped away. Surprisingly, the time-wasting seemed to stop once Liverpool took the lead.
Klopp’s flexible options
Try figuring out how to present the Liverpool team sheet these days. It wasn’t too bad right away, but the changes during the game were nearly difficult to track.
Harvey Elliott and Cody Gakpo came on for the first double change. Were they both in midfield? Were they both? It’s a versatile Liverpool system, and they all seemed to appear in different pockets of space throughout the field.
Nez would subsequently be replaced by defensive midfielder Wataru End. As Salah ran through the middle, Elliott clearly took up a role in attack, in the Salah role.
It’s a far cry from the fixed, dependable front three of old. While that trio worked wonders for Klopp, he will be thrilled with the variety of alternatives available to him now.
