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Nuno Espirito Santo gives honest verdict on Liverpool after Nottingham Forest win

tom malley
·2-min read

Nottingham Forest manager Nuno Espirito Santo has given an honest verdict on 'good' Liverpool after watching his side claim a famous 1-0 victory.

Former Chelsea winger Callum Hudson-Odoi scored the only goal of the game for the visitors with a well-taken effort that caught Reds goalkeeper Alisson completely off-guard early in the second-half.

Liverpool failed to respond and ultimately didn't do enough to avoid defeat in their fourth game of the season, bringing an end to Arne Slot's perfect start to life as manager following three wins from three to start the campaign.

However, Forest boss Espirito Santo was full of praise for his side and believes it done enough to "hurt" Liverpool and prevent them from making the most of the quality in their side.

Speaking after the game, the 50-year-old said: "The players did it so well, we were against the ropes but we stayed in the game and found our moment. I am really happy for the boys.

"Liverpool are so good, you cannot play them and ignore the quality they have. Defensively we were really good. It was impossible for our wingers to last 90 minutes, they had to track the runners so we needed fresh legs in the second half.

"We played well, we controlled the game in the right moments and harmed them. This is a moment to enjoy for our fans. It doesn't last long but our fans are amazing and this is a big help for the players."

The win meant Forest secured its first victory at Anfield since 1969. Liverpool failed to break down Forest's defense and create any real clear-cut chances throughout the game. Despite Liverpool's pressure towards the end of the game, the visitors held out and secured a huge three points, maintaining its own unbeaten start to the season while also ending the opposition's.

The Reds appeared a shadow of their former selves from the first three games of the season and while certain points can be made about a quick turn-around from the international break, with up to 19 first-team stars playing earlier this week, there still wasn't enough quality on show.

Liverpool will now look to bounce back with a positive result away to AC Milan on Tuesday, when the Reds get their Champions League campaign underway at the San Siro in what is just the second of seven games in three weeks.