Advertisement

Liverpool stunned by Nottingham Forest as Arne Slot suffers first loss - 5 talking points

Arne Slot
-Credit: (Image: Getty Images)


Liverpool fell to a first defeat of the season as they lost to Nottingham Forest for the first time since 1969 - in Arne Slot's first loss as head coach.

Liverpool came into their fourth Premier League fixture of the season so far on the back of a three-game unbeaten run, having dispatched Ipswich Town, Brentford, and Manchester United in the opening weeks. However, the return to club action following the international break presented a fresh challenge for new Reds boss Arne Slot.

Looking to maintain the momentum built up during the first month of the campaign, the Merseysiders faced a Forest side that had not been beaten so far this term. However, the Reds looked leggy as they fell to the first loss of the campaign as Callum Hudson Odoi's second-half strike separated the two teams in a 1-0 defeat.

Here are the five things Liverpool.com spotted as the game unfolded.

Ryan Gravenberch excels in No. 6 role

One of the key talking points over the summer was the possibility of Liverpool signing a new holding midfield player, with Real Sociedad's Martín Zubimendi having been targeted by the Reds' recruitment chiefs. However, after the Spaniard turned down the club's advances, Ryan Gravenberch seized his opportunity to make the No. 6 role his own.

An ever-present in the first three games of the campaign, the Dutchman received the nod over Wataru Endo to start against Nottingham Forest once more. The youngster demonstrated his talents again with a solid defensive showing while contributing with forays forward into the final third.

An inviting cross for Luis Diaz in the first half represented the Reds' only discernible chance before the interval - with the Colombian's header stopped by Matz Sels.

Alexander-Arnold midfield experiment

With Conor Bradley providing Arne Slot with another option at right-back, the head coach decided to introduce the Northern Irishman in the second half - with Trent Alexander-Arnold moving into a midfield role. Much was made of the Reds academy graduate's selection further forward for England over the summer.

This was the first time that Slot has used his vice-captain in a more advanced position, as he took up a role beyond even Gravenberch and Dominik Szoboszlai in midfield. However, the experiment proved largely ineffective, with the star leggy throughout and unable to influence the game from either role.

Callum Hudson-Odoi
Callum Hudson-Odoi puts Nottingham Forest ahead -Credit:Getty Images

Diogo Jota leads line again

Having missed large sections of last term through injury, Diogo Jota is now back to full fitness and appears to be Arne Slot's preferred choice as center-forward in the early days of his reign. The Portuguese star has started all four of the Reds' fixtures so far this term, having been named from the start versus Forest.

Ibrahima Konate selection

With Jarell Quansah having been preferred in the starting XI for Liverpool's opening day fixture against Ipswich Town, Ibrahima Konate has kept his place in the side after being introduced from the bench in the first week. Since then, he has been an ever-present for Slot's men and justified his selection versus Forest with a composed display.

The Kop showed its appreciation for the Frenchman's commanding work as he routinely got the better of opposition forward Chris Wood in their individual duels. Slot mentioned the importance of the Reds winning aerial battles and the first ball versus Ipswich and it appears that he has Konate has taken this message on board.

Alexis Mac Allister substitution costly

The Argentine's importance to the Liverpool team was proven against Forest, with his composure and general classy play having proven a major loss when he was substituted on the hour mark. The midfielder was effective in terms of helping the Reds to play out from their own third during the first 60 minutes.

Liverpool looked less in control of affairs after he was taken off by Arne Slot, with the experiment of moving Alexander-Arnold into midfield not exactly having the impact the boss will have desired.