· 2 min readIn this Liverpool vs Forest match, I analyse the key tactical moments, individual performances and turning points of the game.
Liverpool came into this second Premier League round after a poor start against Newcastle, where they suffered a lot and only managed to equalize in stoppage time, while Forest lost to Leeds. Both teams needed to win.
Forest started well and by the 11th minute had already created danger, with Ndoye appearing at the far post and laying the ball off for Igor Jesus, who shot but found Jacquet and Alisson in his way. In the 19th minute, Frimpong once again struggled to defend Ndoye, who got in behind him again. Liverpool had more possession, but by the 20th minute they still hadn’t even registered a shot.
Forest defended in a 5-4-1 and looked very comfortable. In the 24th minute, they actually took the lead. A long ball, Liverpool’s defensive line pushed up, Igor Jesus controlled it very well, left it for Gibbs-White and he found Ndoye’s run. The Swiss winger hit a low shot towards the far post and made it 0-1. Another problem caused by Liverpool’s high defensive line.
Liverpool needed to be quicker. It had been 30 minutes of a tempo that was far too slow, with plenty of possession but very little danger. In the 32nd minute, Wirtz even scored after Frimpong won the ball and played it to the German, but the goal was ruled out for Frimpong’s offside at the start of the move. At least it was one of the first times Liverpool had actually managed to create something.
The switch between Gakpo and Víctor Muñoz wasn’t working for now. Neither was having a good game, just like Liverpool as a whole.
In the 44th minute, a huge chance appeared. Gakpo produced a beautiful dribble inside the box, reached the byline and put the ball across. Isak controlled it badly, the ball ended up with Víctor Muñoz and the Spaniard had everything to score, but he couldn’t even hit the target. This has to be a goal. And also pay attention to Szoboszlai, who deliberately let the ball go through his legs so that it could reach Isak.
Forest continued to do one important thing very well: slowing Liverpool down. When they had the ball, they managed to calm the game and didn’t allow Liverpool to raise the tempo and apply the intense pressure they like to use.
In the second half, Liverpool clearly came out looking to push Forest back. By the 54th minute, they had 80% possession and it was already obvious that the team was dominating territorially, but there was always the danger of the counterattack. Forest needed very little to create danger.
In the 60th minute, the equalizer finally came. Gakpo received the ball, got away from his marker in a very intelligent way and played a low cross into the box. Isak appeared at the far post and tapped it in to make it 1-1. Liverpool had equalized and still had more than 70% possession in the second half.
In the 68th minute, Forest took advantage of that on a counterattack. Delap took a quick throw-in to Neco Williams, who received the ball and was fouled by Alisson inside the box. Penalty for Forest. Gibbs-White took it and scored. 1-2. A goal and an assist for the Forest midfielder.
In the 72nd minute, Gakpo came off for Rio Ngumoha. Honestly, he was one of Liverpool’s best players at that moment and it was strange to see him come off. Liverpool continued looking for the equalizer and in the 82nd minute they got it. Wirtz received the ball, turned brilliantly and found Víctor Muñoz, who shot with his right foot. The ball rose and ended up in the roof of the net. 2-2.
After missing that huge chance in the first half, Víctor Muñoz managed to redeem himself and equalize the game.
In the final minutes, Liverpool looked for the winning goal, but couldn’t find it. Forest managed to hold on and leave Anfield with a point after being ahead twice.
Post-match
It wasn’t a great game from Liverpool. Once again, they had plenty of possession but struggled to turn that possession into constant danger.
