Liverpool vs. Nottingham Forest: *Bumper* Post-Match Analysis
Paul Tomkins, Andrew Beasley, Daniel Rhodes and other TTT regulars will give their thoughts on the match for 24 hours after the game, so the article received via email is unlikely to be the final version. There's statistics from the match and videos too.
Post-Match Thoughts
Paul Tomkins
Full article now published here:
My View From Anfield, as Liverpool Struggle In Slot's First Defeat
It was so long ago that I can’t even remember the previous home defeat I attended. I make it to only a few games a season these days (and rarely the glamorous/more testing fixtures), but saw more than my fair share of Anfield defeats in the 1990s and into the 2000s in my season ticket days. (A memorable defeat I saw was to Rafa Benítez’s Valencia in 2001/02, as they were so good, as were the Barcelona team around that time.)
Daniel Rhodes
Damn the international breaks, eh! After near perfection for three games, the Reds returned to league action with an incredibly disappointing defeat to Nottingham Forest at Anfield for the first time since 1969.
It was the same team for the third match in a row, and while Liverpool started brightly, the first twenty minutes seemed to be the Yates vs. Mac Allister show with the former continuously fouling the Argentinian in a variety of ways. Nevertheless, while the visitors looked to break up play, and were allowed to do so, Slot’s side were unable at any point to break down a stubborn, well organised Forest defensive set up.
Jota had the Reds’ only big chance of the game in the first half, which was straight at the GK, and Diaz struck the post from close range but a tight angle. Van Dijk headed one just wide from a set piece; but in fairness, the away side restricted us really well. With the help of Michael Oliver and a flurry of free kicks.
The second half was the worst period of the season though: despite attacking towards to Kop, and five changes that finished with us only having one centre-back, we only managed to create 0.26 xG compared to their 0.6. And while the winning goal came from a shot outside the box, that deserves huge credit for the finish and counter attack, they also had another big chance and looked more threatening.
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