Nottm Forest vs Liverpool

Minute-by-minute report: Can Forest stall Liverpool's recent momentum and boost their survival hopes at the City Ground? Find out with Rob Smyth.

[Liverpool](https://www.theguardian.com/football/liverpool) will hope that the win over Manchester City last weekend was their catalyst. For a couple of years at the end of the 1970s, this was the biggest game in English football. Forest have improved defensively, conceding only two in their last three games, but what they need now is a famous victory to kickstart their season. Forest won the League Cup final and dethroned Liverpool as European champions; Liverpool ended Forest’s record 42-game unbeaten run and took their league title. Fabinho is in for Jordan Henderson and Jurgen Klopp has also changed both full-backs. The home fans are making their usual racket. Perhaps this comment was more interesting in my head.” [Nottingham Forest](https://www.theguardian.com/football/nottinghamforest) v Liverpool at the City Ground. [Liverpool](https://www.theguardian.com/football/liverpool). “How many games must there have been when both right backs wear #7? 6 min “Thiago adding illness to his litany of absence reasons,” says Stephen Carr. [Liverpool](https://www.theguardian.com/football/liverpool), though Forest are snapping around in midfield when they get the opportunity.

Jurgen Klopp's side look to have turned a corner and will be hoping to take advantage of a Forest team without a win in eight matches and rooted to the bottom ...

Sat, October 22 Nottingham Forest play host to Liverpool at the City Ground in Nottingham, England. — Liverpool to open the Premier League weekend. 1 hour 30 mins to KO: A half-hour until team news releases at the City Ground. 1 hour to KO: Team news is in, with Nunez and Thiago missing from the squad entirely! 45 mins to KO: Forest have been in a horrendous run of form since their home opener against West Ham in August, which remains their sole victory of 2022/23. We are committed to this style." Liverpool were the defending continental champions heading into that tie, but Brian Clough's men emerged 2-0 winners here en route to winning the trophy themselves. 30 mins to KO: This fixture is of course steeped in history, with the 1978/79 European Cup clash being among the most famous in Forest folklore. The decision was made this morning at 5:15. For Darwin, the game comes too early, he still feels the intensity of the game muscle-wise so there was no chance he could play today.

Even without the injured Darwin Nunez and a benched Trent Alexander-Arnold, the visitors have more than enough to win today. Victory today will take Liverpool ...

No booking for the Forest man, which is perhaps quite fortunate. Victory today will take Liverpool up to fifth, level on points with Manchester United, which is a far rosier picture than just a few weeks ago for last season’s runners-up. Even without the injured Darwin Nunez and a benched Trent Alexander-Arnold, the visitors have more than enough to win today.

Soccer Football - Premier League - Nottingham Forest v Liverpool - The City Ground, Nottingham Awoniyi scored the only goal as Forest stunned Liverpool (Photo: ...

So limited was the Brazilian’s impact that he was substituted with 15 minutes remaining as Liverpool sought to overturn a 1-0 deficit. Uncharacteristically missed his kick when completely free inside the box and had virtually no impact on the game in a centre forward position. Fabio Carvalho – Had the game’s first big chance but was unable to finish after taking a glorious first touch. Harvey Elliott – Crafted the first opening for Liverpool, superbly picking out Carvalho and drew a flying stop from Henderson shortly after his side had gone behind. Did set up a good chance for Alexander-Arnold late on but it was too little, too late. A willing runner who caused Van Dijk and Gomez problems all games, the Nigerian was rewarded for his perseverance with an open goal to put Forest in front. Has been criticised after a slow start to his career at the City Ground and while he had a limited attacking impact again, he worked hard before his substitution. Morgan Gibbs-White – Nominally played on the right but had a free role to drift centrally and looked the most likely to make something happen for the hosts in the first half. Made a superb lung-busting run to set up substitute Johnson and given a well-deserved ovation as he made his way off late on after a superb performance. A captain’s performance from the academy graduate. Stuck to his task diligently and had a good game before making way with 20 minutes to go. Klopp labelled it a “big mistake from us” after Joe Gomez had conceded the free-kick that led to the goal with a cynical foul on Awoniyi by the halfway line.