Liverpool’s clash with Nottingham Forest at Anfield was one filled with tension and disappointment for the home side. Forest’s 1-0 victory marked their first win at the stadium in over 55 years, a historic result that left Liverpool fans frustrated. As always, Liverpool’s performance was scrutinized in detail, and The ECHO was present to evaluate the individual displays of the players on a day where the team collectively underperformed. Here’s a closer look at the ratings and how each player fared during the encounter.
**Alisson Becker – 6**
The Brazilian goalkeeper had a relatively quiet first half, with little to do in terms of shot-stopping. His most notable contribution early on was a pass out to Andrew Robertson, indicating his ability to play out from the back. As the match progressed, Alisson found himself beaten by Forest’s goal, a strike that left him with little chance of making the save. While he couldn’t prevent the scoreline from tipping against Liverpool, he did make a late save from Elanga to prevent further damage. Overall, it wasn’t a busy day for him, but he was unable to turn the tide for his side.
**Trent Alexander-Arnold – 6**
Trent’s performance was a mixed bag. In the first half, he showcased his excellent crossing ability with a delivery that set up a chance for Alexis Mac Allister. However, defensively, he found himself occupied, particularly with Forest’s persistent pressing. After an hour, Alexander-Arnold shifted into midfield, a role he’s played before under Jurgen Klopp, but he struggled to influence the game from this new position. Despite his versatility, he couldn’t stamp his authority on the match as he might have hoped.
**Ibrahima Konate – 6**
Konate’s presence in the defense was solid, especially during his individual battle with Gibbs-White. His physicality and timing were crucial in those moments where Forest sought to exploit any gaps in Liverpool’s backline. However, his influence on the game was cut short when Klopp decided to substitute him. Up until that point, Konate had been reliable, though he wasn’t afforded the full 90 minutes to make a lasting impact.
**Virgil van Dijk – 6**
Van Dijk had a somewhat quiet afternoon by his lofty standards. Forest’s attacking play largely bypassed him, meaning his role was mostly limited to dealing with set-pieces. On those occasions, he was commanding, clearing the danger with composure. Towards the end of the match, Van Dijk ventured forward for a late corner but was unable to direct his header on target, a moment that could have salvaged a point for his side. Despite the result, Van Dijk’s defensive contribution remained steady throughout.
**Andy Robertson – 6**
Robertson had his hands full on the left flank, particularly in his duel with Yates, who managed to cause the Scotsman a few problems. Defensively, Robertson put in a decent shift, but his forward play was less impactful than usual. His usual bursts down the wing were limited, and he struggled to create meaningful opportunities for the attackers. Robertson’s frustration boiled over when he received a booking before being substituted, capping off a difficult afternoon.
**Ryan Gravenberch – 7**
Arguably one of Liverpool’s better performers, Gravenberch was a bright spark in the first half. He made crucial interventions, helping to push Forest back and maintaining Liverpool’s pressure. His energy and drive were notable, and he managed to sustain a decent level of performance even as the rest of the team seemed to falter after the break. Despite being booked, Gravenberch can hold his head high after a spirited showing.
**Alexis Mac Allister – 6**
Mac Allister endured a tough battle, particularly with Forest’s Yates, who dished out a few heavy challenges. Despite this physicality, Mac Allister managed to create a couple of promising moments for Liverpool. His header, which was saved by Sels, came from one of the few opportunities Liverpool had to take control of the game. However, his influence waned as the match wore on, and he was eventually substituted.
**Mohamed Salah – 5**
It was a frustrating day for Liverpool’s talisman. Salah, usually so reliable, struggled to get into the game, and his touch was off throughout. Though he did force Sels into a save during the second half, many of his efforts were speculative and lacked precision. His frustration was mirrored by the Anfield crowd, who grew increasingly irritated by his wayward shooting and uncharacteristic mistakes.
**Dominik Szoboszlai – 5**
Szoboszlai, who had shown promise in previous games, struggled to find his rhythm against Forest. He made several poor decisions, particularly in the first half, where his passing and movement left much to be desired. Though he improved slightly after the break, it wasn’t enough to make a real difference, and his booking further marred his performance.
**Luis Diaz – 6**
Diaz showed flashes of brilliance, particularly in the first half when he kept the ball in play and struck the post. He also enjoyed a solid battle against Aina, winning most of their duels. However, much like the rest of his teammates, Diaz faded in the second half and was substituted before he could make a meaningful impact on the final result.
**Diogo Jota – 5**
Jota found himself starved of service and had to drop deep frequently to get involved. This resulted in him often running into dead ends, as Forest’s defense remained organized. He was unable to find any real opportunities to test the goalkeeper and was substituted in a bid to shake things up.
**Substitutes**
Conor Bradley (for Mac Allister 61) – 5
Bradley initially defended well after coming on, particularly against Hudson-Odoi. However, he will be disappointed with how he allowed Hudson-Odoi to cut inside and score the winning goal, a moment that ultimately defined his contribution to the game.
Cody Gakpo (for Diaz 61) – 4
Gakpo struggled to make an impact after coming on. He drifted into central areas but was unable to influence the game, often finding himself on the periphery.
Darwin Nunez (for Jota 61) – 4
Nunez looked rusty from the moment he entered the field. His touch was poor, and his decision-making left much to be desired. Ultimately, he failed to make any meaningful contribution during his time on the pitch.
Curtis Jones (for Konate 75) – 5
Jones made his first appearance of the season, but it was a quiet one. With limited time to make an impact, he didn’t manage to influence proceedings in any significant way.