Nottingham Forest suffered a fourth straight defeat as they were toppled 3-2 by Liverpool at Anfield.
The visitors saw little of the ball in the first half, but they held out to keep it goalless at the break. After Cody Gakpo and Ibrahima Konate had early sights of goal, it was Morgan Gibbs-White who drew the first save when he tried his luck from range.
Keylor Navas was then called into action at the opposite end just before the half hour as he tipped over a Virgil van Dijk header. And Neco Williams made a last-ditch clearance to thwart the Liverpool defender soon after.
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It didn’t take the hosts long to break the deadlock after the break, with Diogo Jota heading in from a corner. But Williams levelled just four minutes later against his former club.
And when Jota bagged his second of the afternoon, the Reds came from behind to equalise again, this time through Gibbs-White. Set-pieces had been a problem all game, however, and three minutes later Forest fell behind once more to a goal from Mo Salah.
Taiwo Awoniyi and Brennan Johnson came close to dragging the visitors back into it again, but Liverpool held out for the win.
Here’s how Reds reporter Sarah Clapson rated the Forest players at Anfield.
Keylor Navas: Pulled off some excellent saves to keep his team in with a chance (again). Defending in front of him from set-pieces was terrible, though. Rating: 6/10
Neco Williams: Clearly fired up against his former club and generally did pretty well. Deserved his goal to count for more than it did. Made a crucial last-ditch clearance in the first half. Rating: 6.5/10
Felipe: Punched the ground in frustration after losing Jota for his second. Did well bringing the ball out from the back but the Reds were all over the shop at set-pieces. Rating: 5.5/10
Moussa Niakhate: Back line had been solid in the first half, but without sending like a broken record, set-pieces had still been causing problems. At least his throw-ins offered something at the other end of the pitch. Rating: 5.5/10
Scott McKenna: Forest’s rotten injury luck continues. Had been a boost having him back available, too. Hopefully nothing serious after he went off clutching his side. Rating: 6/10
Renan Lodi: Got forward pretty well, but, like most of his teammates, could be a little sloppy defensively. Forest only had themselves to blame for the goals conceded. Rating: 5.5/10
Remo Freuler: Paid the price for losing Salah for the third goal - and it was costly. Not the only one who needed to be better at marking from set-pieces, but that error was woeful. Rating: 4/10
Danilo: Showed some nice touches on the ball when he did get possession. Certainly benefitted from having an extra man in the midfield. Rating: 5.5/10
Orel Mangala: Careless with his passing at times, just when the Reds needed more composure. They had the potential to hurt Liverpool more if they’d managed that. Rating: 5/10
Morgan Gibbs-White: Took his goal really well, and it looked like it might have been a crucial one until dismal defending let Forest down. A nice assist for Williams, too. Rating: 6/10
Taiwo Awoniyi: Touch let him down a little bit at times, but he did cause the Liverpool back line some problems. Went close to netting an equaliser with an acrobatic effort. Rating: 6/10
Substitutes
Joe Worrall (for McKenna, 30mins): Did OK when he came on in the first half, but back line was caught out after the break. Rating: 5.5/10
Brennan Johnson (for Freuler, 75mins): So close to getting on the scoresheet, with an effort which hit the bar. Rating: 6/10
Emmanuel Dennis (for Lodi, 87mins): Thrown on as Forest desperately sought another equaliser, but couldn’t change anything. Rating: 5.5/10
Sam Surridge (for Awoniyi, 87mins): Added some fresh legs, but the Reds couldn’t find a way back for a third time. Rating: 5.5/10
Andre Ayew (for Felipe, 87mins): Barely had time to make an impact as Liverpool held out. Rating: 5.5/10
Not used: Hennessey, Lingard, Toffolo, Hammond.
How would you rate the Forest players? Have your say in the comments below
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