In a season that have seen some extremely poor halves, the first half against Nottingham Forest may be near the top of the list. Outside of the goalkeeper and central defenders, no one in a Liverpool kit looked even close to convincing in the first half as the Reds were out possessed 60% to 40% and registered a paltry two shots. Liverpool grew into the game in the second half, with a few good moves that resulted in good chances, but the ball was cleared off the line twice to deny the Reds. A jammy
goal was chalked off after a clearance rebounded off the elbow of Alexis Mac Allister, but the midfielder was able to follow up a 97th minute header and tuck it home from point blank range to take the points just before the final whistle.
Below, we take a look at some winners and losers on the night, and attempt to disentangle narrative from fact.
Winners
Alisson
The Brazilian goalkeeper was called on in the opening few minutes to make a massive 1v1 save, which he did with aplomb. He was alert to a couple of crosses that drifted towards the crossbar that he had to put over, and had a couple massive punches to handle dangerous crosses at the end of the match.
Central Defenders
Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konaté were massive in the first half, making several key interventions to help keep the score level. Big Virg rolled back the years as he raced back to toe poke the ball away from Igor Jesus after he was through on goal in the box.
Konaté and van Dijk were some of the bigger creators in the second half with some good diagonal balls out to the wings in attacking areas. Ibou also had a great run forward with the ball to start the second half, carrying it past several players before playing it forward. Virgil van Dijk’s header at the death was saved but tucked on by Alexis Mac Allister to somehow give Liverpool the win.
Rio Ngumoha
The young attacker was a bright spark in his late cameo. His willingness and capability to take players on was apparent, completing two dribbles and delivering a great cross to create a headed chance for Hugo Ekitike. Mohamed Salah and Cody Gakpo completed a combined zero dribbles and one key pass for reference.
Late Drama
Liverpool twice had the ball in the net very late in the match, and twice VAR had a look. The first goal was chalked off after Hugo Ekitike’s initial header was well saved, and a clearance went off the elbow of Alexis Mac Allister and into the net. It’s one of those that would not have been a hand ball in any other situation. The second goal stood, however, as Virgil van Dijk forced a save with his header with the rebound tucked home by Mac Allister. It looked like van Dijk was offside, but his stature was large enough that it was difficult to see Ola Aina holding him onside from just behind him.
Losers
Florian Wirtz
The German midfielder was injured during warm ups and had to be pulled from the starting lineup. His presence was greatly missed.
Midfield
Lets start by saying Dominik Szoboszlai was very solid per usual after moving to midfield from his starting right back role. The attack immediately looked better after he slotted into midfield, and it was his delivery that Virgil van Dijk headed before Macca tucked the rebound home. Szobo finished with 5 key passes. The rest of the midfielders, however, were a different story.
Outside of scoring the late goal, Alexis Mac Allister was a passenger as he watched play pass him by in both directions. He consistently undercooked passes, putting teammates in a terrible position when receiving the ball. Ryan Gravenberch was at least trying to be involved, but his touch was nowhere near its best as he turned the ball over numerous times as the ball bounced well away from him as he tried to control it. Curtis Jones was a late starting addition to the lineup with Wirtz out, and he was caught turning the ball over several times before moving to right back. It should be noted that he was pretty blatantly pulled back multiple times for clear fouls that were not called.
Attack
Mohamed Salah, Cody Gakpo, and Hugo Ekitike had no chemistry together in the attack, and all three struggled with their touch as they turned the ball over time after time. Ekitike and Salah combined to turn the ball over 12 times. Ekitike did manage to become much more involved in the second half, forcing a great save from a header and finishing with 3 total shots. Salah and Gakpo combined for 1 other total shot and no key passes.
From the Manager
“If you score in the last minute there’s always an element of luck but so many times this season we’ve deserved more than we got. Not today. A draw would’ve been a fairer result.”
-Arne Slot
What Happens Next
Liverpool will continue their seemingly friendly run of fixtures against sides entrenched at the bottom of the table as they host West Ham next Saturday. It’s a run that gives Arne Slot and co a chance to move back into Champions League spots in the table. The Reds are now even on points with Manchester United in fifth and Chelsea in fourth, trailing on goal difference.
