Liverpool Secure Quickfire Double Over Nottingham Forest – 5 Key Talking Points
Liverpool swiftly dispatched Nottingham Forest at Anfield on Sunday, achieving a dominant victory in the process. Diogo Jota opened the scoring in the 30th minute, capitalizing on a rebound to slot the ball into the net. Just moments later, Darwin Nunez extended the lead with a close-range finish. Mohamed Salah added to the advantage, completing a deadly Liverpool counter-attack. Despite substitute Cody Gakpo thinking he had scored in stoppage time, VAR ruled it out. Nottingham Forest struggled to challenge their hosts, resulting in a disappointing defeat. Here are the key talking points from Liverpool’s back-to-back Premier League victories:
1. Jota’s Tribute in Diaz’s Absence:
Luis Diaz was omitted from the squad due to his parents’ ongoing kidnapping situation. In his absence, Darwin Nunez was selected, shifting Jota to the left flank. Jota opened the scoring and immediately ran to the bench to retrieve a Diaz shirt, dedicating his goal to his Colombian teammate. This goal marked his sixth against Nottingham Forest in just five appearances.
2. Nunez’s Hot Form:
Following Jota’s goal, it was inevitable that Nunez would find the net. The former Benfica player had a relatively simple finish, tapping the ball into the net from Dominik Szoboszlai’s low cross. Nunez has six goals and five assists in 13 appearances this season, contributing to a goal in each of his last four Premier League games.
3. Szoboszlai’s Creativity:
Hungarian playmaker Dominik Szoboszlai, a summer signing for Liverpool from RB Leipzig, showcased his creative abilities with two assists. He provided the low ball for Nunez’s goal and a precise pass to Salah, who scored the third goal. Szoboszlai’s performance highlighted his playmaking talents, offering an exciting addition to Liverpool’s squad.
4. Turner’s Impressive Performance:
Nottingham Forest goalkeeper Matt Turner delivered several crucial saves in the first half, preventing the game from slipping out of reach. Despite the loss, Turner’s shot-stopping abilities demonstrated that his £7 million summer signing was a bargain. His performance hints at more points saved for his team in the future.
5. Concerns for Forest:
Nottingham Forest’s winless streak extended to six games, raising concerns about their Premier League status. While losing to in-form Liverpool is understandable, Forest needs to secure a victory soon to avoid being drawn into another relegation battle. Their upcoming fixtures against Aston Villa, West Ham, and Brighton pose additional challenges, and their fans may grow anxious if the winless run persists.