Lessons Learned as Liverpool Battle to a Point Against Nottingham Forest | OneFootball

What did we Learn as Liverpool Stole a Point at Nottingham Forest?

One where you really have to catch you breath back and some will be glass half full, glass half empty. There was a lot to like in certain moments and Liverpool did show their fighting spirit.

However, there was a lot you feel the played and the Head Coach got wrong in this one and it’s worrying we’re saying some of the same things time and time again. It’s seven points clear of Arsenal level on games, yet you feel Liverpool are in a bumpy period right now. We look at the lessons learned from a hard fought point at The City Ground.

Substitutes The Difference

22 seconds was all it took for Diogo Jota to do what his forward colleagues couldn’t do all night. He completed the most dribbles (2) in this game and got the most shots on target (3) for Liverpool. It was a typical Jota style header from his fellow substitute Kostas Tsimikas’ cross and at a time when Liverpool desperately needed it.

Photo: IMAGO

You were already half celebrating when he did that twist inside but on two occasions he found Sels doing his prime Lev Yasmin impression. That’s eight for the season now for the slotta and you have to play him in these big ones when he’s fit. Saved us a point here thankfully.

Slot Beaten Tactically

We’ve not said it too often and there’s been so much to adore about Arne Slot so far this season. However, that’s two games where he’s probably lost the tactical battle to Nuno. Why we had Diaz coming back and played it so slowly or crossed it randomly against this low block Forest side is anyone’s guess.

Photo: IMAGO

They were delighted to see Gravenberch, Diaz and others repeatedly hit it from distance in the first half and you can sense what was coming on the break. Truth be told, it’s another first half where Liverpool weren’t good enough and how many times are we gonna say they can’t get away with it?

Chances Galore Still

It felt a bit like last season the way we blew chance after chance in this one. How Luis Diaz didn’t put Cody Gakpo through 1-1 is anyone’s guess, but there were actual chances squandered. Mo Salah was the most guilty with a few shanks here and there with good chances by his standards.

Gakpo had a few strikes but not to his usual recent high standard. Most importantly though, Sels had the game of his life and that one late on from the deflected Gakpo strike was superb. The xG was over 2 and that’s what Liverpool should have had by the end. Ignore the TNT Sports narrative, they’ll be disappointment one of those chances didn’t go in.