Liverpool suffered a surprising 1-0 defeat to Nottingham Forest at Anfield on September 14, 2024. Arne Slot’s side, after an impressive unbeaten start to the season, faced frustration in their first match following the international break. The match saw Liverpool dominate possession but struggle to break down a resolute Forest defense.
The decisive moment came in the second half when Callum Hudson-Odoi, a Forest substitute, capitalized on a mistake by Darwin Núñez, who lost possession near the edge of the box. Forest quickly countered, and Hudson-Odoi delivered a powerful strike that left Alisson with no chance. Despite several attacking changes, including bringing on Núñez, Cody Gakpo, and Conor Bradley around the hour mark, Liverpool failed to find the equalizer.
The defeat exposed some tactical concerns for Slot. His decision to exclude Federico Chiesa from the matchday squad was questioned, especially given the lack of creativity in attack. The defensive structure, which had been strong in previous games, was left vulnerable during Forest’s counterattacks, and Liverpool struggled to find cohesion after multiple substitutions.
Key stats from the match include:
Possession: Liverpool held 73% of the ball but struggled to convert their dominance into clear-cut chances.
Shots: The Reds managed 16 shots, but only 5 were on target.
Yellow cards: Liverpool players received four yellow cards, reflecting their growing frustration as the match progressed.
This defeat marked only the second time Liverpool had lost at Anfield in 33 Premier League games, with Slot failing to become the first manager since Bob Paisley to win his first four games without conceding a goal.
YNWA