Premier League: Forest stun Liverpool
Liverpool 0 - 1 Nottingham Forest
Callum Hudson-Odoi and an unbeaten Nottingham Forest shocked Liverpool at Anfield, putting an end to Arne Slot's flawless start as Liverpool manager.
Coming off the bench, Hudson-Odoi cut in from the left and curled a perfectly placed shot into the far bottom corner, leaving Alisson with no chance.
This marked Forest's first win at Anfield in any competition since 1969. Liverpool had come into the game brimming with confidence, having secured three consecutive wins without conceding a goal.
And the home side certainly had the better opportunities in the first half.
Luis Diaz came closest for the hosts before the break, chasing down what seemed a lost cause, cutting inside, and smashing a shot against the near post from a tight angle.
Forest keeper Matz Sels made an important save to deny Alexis Mac Allister's header and had a lucky escape when he almost let Diaz’s shot slip into his own net moments later.
After the break, Forest showed more attacking intent, with Morgan Gibbs-White and Anthony Elanga both firing off target before Hudson-Odoi's stunning strike.
Forest fans were ecstatic, while the Liverpool supporters urged their team forward, but the home side struggled to create clear chances to equalise.
The visitors now sit fourth in the early Premier League standings with two wins and two draws, while Liverpool remain two places and one point ahead.
Forest manager Nuno EspÃrito Santo deserves immense credit for his team’s excellent start to the season.
There had been much focus on Liverpool's unbeaten run under Slot, but Forest were also undefeated in the Premier League – and now, they remain the only unbeaten side.
Their first-half performance was disciplined but unspectacular. They frustrated Liverpool but failed to register a single shot on goal.
However, Nuno made bold decisions in the second half, bringing on Hudson-Odoi and Elanga when many might have chosen to play it safe. His bravery was rewarded.
Elanga set up Hudson-Odoi, who cut inside Conor Bradley before curling a sublime shot into the bottom corner. Elanga almost added a second late on, but his shot was straight at Alisson.
One goal proved enough, securing Forest's first victory at Anfield since the moon landing.
Former Feyenoord manager Slot will have known the Premier League wouldn’t be straightforward. Yet after a brilliant start, including an impressive win over Manchester United before the international break, comparisons were already being made between his approach and Jurgen Klopp’s.
Slot's side emphasises patience, passing, and controlled build-up, and for a while, it seemed as though their perseverance might pay off.
Diaz hit the post, several headers went wide, and Mohamed Salah forced a sharp save from Sels at his near post.
Slot made changes, introducing Conor Bradley while pushing Trent Alexander-Arnold into midfield, and brought on Cody Gakpo and Darwin Nunez in search of a winner. However, Bradley was then beaten for the game’s only goal.
Liverpool had one last chance to equalise when Virgil van Dijk headed over, but by the time the final whistle blew, many fans had already left Anfield, resigned to the end of their unbeaten run.
Very few people would have expected that result. Forest fans will be buzzing.
