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LIVERPOOL were beaten 1-0 by Nottingham Forest at Anfield in the Premier League yesterday.
Arne Slot’s Reds were in control until Callum Hudson-Odoi gave Forest the lead in the 72nd minute and their first win at Anfield since 1969. Manchester City extended their lead at the top of the table as two goals from Erling Haaland saw them beat Brentford 2-1.
The Dutchman’s side were in full control for much of the contest until a 72nd-minute goal from Callum Hudson-Odoi.
The 23-year-old combined brilliantly with Anthony Elanga and produced a gorgeous curling shot from the edge of the box to give Forest their first win at Anfield since 1969 and halt the momentum that Slot had generated in his first three games.
“He’s the icon” – Crouch and Cole hail “sharper” Rashford mentality switch “He’s the icon” – Crouch and Cole hail “sharper” Rashford mentality switch
“He’s the icon”- Crouch and Cole hail “sharper” Rashford mentality switch
Slot missed out on becoming the first Premier League manager to keep a clean sheet in their first four league games after his side fell to Forest.
Liverpool had opened the season with three wins and not a goal conceded and they were aiming to remain unbeaten at Anfield.
While three games were arguably too early to predict any change in Liverpool’s fortunes regarding a title challenge, Slot had seemingly shored up the side’s defence.
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In truth, Liverpool’s loss lay in their inability to bypass the congested midfield and central areas that Forest crowded. In the wake of Liverpool’s 3-0 win over Manchester United, the likes of Ryan Gravenberch and Dominik Szoboszlai were rendered ineffective at Anfield.
Slot had got the best of his Dutch counterpart Erik ten Hag before the international break but here he was outmanoeuvred by Nuno Espirito Santo.
Elanga and Hudson-Odoi sat on the bench and once Forest’s narrow formation had frustrated Liverpool enough, Nuno unleashed the pair and they combined for the winning goal with the former finding the latter on the cross.
Liverpool’s starting side was the same as it had been in their first three games and perhaps some fault lays at Slot’s hesitation to rotate the squad more.
Manchester City made it four wins from four as they beat Brentford 2-1 at the Etihad thanks to a brace from Erling Haaland.
Brentford had shocked Pep Guardiola’s side when Yoane Wissa scored 22 seconds into the match thanks to John Stones miskicking his clearance into Wissa’s path and the 28-year-old headed in from close range.
Haaland then fired twice for City in 13 minutes in the first half to turn the game back in their favour and stroll towards another win.
It was unfortunately not another hat-trick for the phenom although, despite having several more chances to complete his treble throughout the game.
Despite Wissa’s early strike, and Yehor Yarmolyuk almost equalising in stoppage time, it was ultimately another routine win for the champions.
Guardiola, who has had to field questions regarding the long-awaited hearing into the club’s alleged breaches of financial rules, will at least be pleased that their off-field worries have not yet translated to the pitch.
Third-placed Brighton were unable to take advantage of Liverpool losing points as they drew 0-0 with newly-promoted Ipswich.
Brighton were unable to make their 21 shots count in part due to their own wastefulness but were also kept goalless thanks to an inspired performance by Ipswich goalkeeper, Arijanet Muric.
Muric had started the week with a struggle as he was sent home from international duty from Kosovo after “breaking team rules.”
Perhaps aware of their own dominance, Brighton’s players consistently chose the option to pass rather than shoot and the likes of Georginio Rutter and Danny Welbeck had chances to go begging as they picked out teammates instead. – eurosport.com
Online Reporter