Darwin Nunez made an impact as Liverpool defeated Nottingham Forest 3-0 in the Premier League. Liverpool put on a commanding performance.
Liverpool 3-0 Nottingham Forest
Goals
Jota 31′ (assist – Nunez)
Nunez 35′ (assist – Szoboszlai)
Salah 76′ (assist – Szoboszlai)
The match ahead of Liverpool, which began right away, revealed the kind of afternoon they were in for as Forest sat back and chose not to press, fielding just two attackers.
As a result, they had 74 percent of the ball in the first half, and Darwin Nunez and Mohamed Salah gave Forest early trouble.
Nunez had a strong attempt well saved by Matt Turner, and from the next corner, he headed a free, but challenging, header over the bar.
But it was Nunez’s strike that prompted the first goal, and Turner could only palm it into Diogo Jota’s path for a beautiful tribute to Luis Diaz, who was not present.
In the build-up to the second, Jota was crucial, holding the ball up nicely before a move that released Dominik Szoboszlai. The Hungarian then set up Nunez for a 2-0 score following a one-two with Salah.
HT: Liverpool 2-0 Nottingham Forest
Following the interval, Liverpool maintained their lead and tested Forest’s defence with a string of one-touch plays.
Three days prior to the match against Toulouse, Jurgen Klopp made two very likely prearranged substitutions on the hour, taking out Harvey Elliott and Cody Gakpo in place of Gravenberch and Jota.
Soon after, spurred by the introduction of former Liverpool striker Taiwo Awoniyi, Steve Cooper threw the dice and changed formation to a more offensive configuration.
It made little difference as Liverpool scored a third goal during halftime thanks to a wonderful long pass from Szoboszlai. Turner and Harry Toffolo both missed the opportunity, but Salah immediately scored to make up for a humiliating miss.
Late in the game, Forest put a lot of pressure on the woodwork, but they were unable to put Alisson to the test. Liverpool won seven out of ten games in the league, including five at Anfield.
TIA Man of the Match: Dominik Szoboszlai
Referee: Chris Kavanagh
Liverpool: Alisson; Alexander-Arnold (Gomez 89′), Konate, Van Dijk, Tsimikas; Mac Allister, Szoboszlai, Gravenberch (Elliott 59′); Salah, Jota (Gakpo 59′), Nunez (Endo 80′)
Subs not used: Kelleher, Adrian, Matip, Chambers, McConnell
Nottingham Forest: Turner; Niakhate, Boly (Awoniyi 69′), Murillo; Aurier, Mangala (Santos 83′), Sangare, Dominguez (Yates 69′), Aina (Toffolo 69′); Gibbs-White (Williams 83′), Elanga
Subs not used: Odysseas, Worrall, Nuno, Kouyate