Liverpool player ratings: three score 8/10 and lots of 7/10s in Nottingham Forest win - gallery
Will Rooney
·5-min read
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 29: ( THE SUN OUT. THE SUN ON SUNDAY OUT) Darwin Nunez of Liverpool celebrates after scoring the second goal during the Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Nottingham Forest at Anfield on October 29, 2023 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by John Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
Liverpool continued their perfect record at Anfield this season as they cruised past Nottingham Forest in the Premier League.
The Reds delivered a 3-0 victory with Diogo Jota and Darwin Nunez on target in the first half before Mo Salah wrapped up the triumph after the break.
Liverpool took their time to find any sort of rhythm in the game and had to wait until the 20th minute to muster their first real chance of the game when Nunez’s effort was straight at Forest keeper Matt Turner.
Untroubled in the first half. The only shot came his way after the break was a thumping Elanga volley that hit the bar. Did well to steer the ball out of play off his line after that.
That gave the Reds the fillip they needed and broke the deadlock 11 minutes later. Jurgen Klopp’s side launched a swift counter-attack and Nunez’s angle drive could only be parried by Turner, with Jota perfectly placed to finish into the empty net. The Portuguese celebrated by holding up a Luis Diaz shirt, with the winger not involved in the game amid his parents being kidnapped in Colombia.
Liverpool doubled their advantage in the 35th minute through livewire Nunez. Dominik Szboszlai drilled a cross back from the byline and the Uruguay international instinctively prodded home from close range. Before half-time, Szoboszlai and Ryan Gravenberch both had efforts from outside the box thwarted by Turner.
Forest displayed resilience in the second period, with the Reds struggling to break down the visitors. In the 59th minute, substitute Harvey Elliott was slipped in by Szoboszlai but saw his effort well blocked.
Steve Cooper’s men finally created an opening on 65 minutes and Morgan Gibbs-White’s cross picked out the run of Nicolas Dominguez inside the box, but he failed to connect with the ball completely and the danger subsided.
Couldn't influence things as much as he'd have liked in the first half but saw more of the ball after the break. Subbed in the closing stages.
The Reds would punish that error and put the game to game to bed with 14 minutes remaining. Szobsozlai’s raking pass caused a mix-up between Turner and Harry Toffolo, with Salah left with an empty net to roll a right-foot finish home.
Anthony Elanga cannoned a volley off the bar for Forest in the closing stages before Cody Gakpo had a goal chalked off for offside for Liverpool in stoppage-time. Still, it was a routine afternoon’s work for the Reds as they returned within three points of Premier League leaders Tottenham. Here’s how we rated the Liverpool players.
Breezed through the game. Getting back to his best.
Headed a dangerous looking cross behind in the first half. Made another important clearance in the second half.
Did what he needed to do in the first half. Bailed Endo out of trouble in the closing stages with a good tackle.
Nicked possession back for Liverpool several times in the first half - with the opening goal being yielded that way. Kept at it in the second half but was booked for a foul.
Had one effort that tested the keeper in the first half but not as involved as he'd have perhaps liked. Subbed in the 58th minute.
Put a fine cross in for Nunez's first goal and looked to attack at any given opportunity in the opening 45 minutes. Continued to be at the fulcrum of Liverpool's play in the second half, with his raking ball causing havoc to deliver the third goal. An all-action display.
Had a hand to play in both of Liverpool's goals in the first half, with two clever passes finds the runs of Nunez and Szoboszlai. Sent a second-half free-kick into the Anfield Road stand from 20 yards after winning the set-piece. Also couldn't hit the target not long after the interval. Then took advantage of a Forest effort to put the game to rest.
Showed excellent energy throughout the first half and adjusted his feet well to open the scoring, while he may be disappointed he didn't find the back of the net for the opening goal after his shot was saved. Not as involved as he'd have liked in the second period and switched to the left-hand side for a period before being subbed in the 80th minute.
Won't score many easies goals he constantly asked questions of Forest and showed great vision to spot Salah in the build-up for Liverpool's second goal. Subbed in the 58th minute.
Lively yet again from the bench and unlucky not to have scored with his effort being blocked.
More minutes after injury and crashed an effort not too far off target and then had a goal ruled out for offside.
Sub 3 - Wataru Endo - N/A
Sub 4 - Joe Gomez - N/A
Diogo Jota of Liverpool celebrates after scoring the opening goal by holding a Luis Diaz shirt during the Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Nottingham Forest at Anfield on October 29, 2023 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
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