Tricky Trees triumphant at Anfield

Nottingham Forest earned their first victory at Anfield in 55 years thanks to Callum Hudson-Odoi’s stunning second-half strike.

Result

Liverpool 0-1 Nottingham Forest

Liverpool, UK | THE INDEPENDENT | Forest travelled to Merseyside looking to maintain their unbeaten start to the new Premier League campaign as they took on a Liverpool team who had won all their first three games and were yet to concede.

The opening exchanges were tightly contested with neither team able to create any real chances despite both teams playing some slick football and moving the ball well.

Out of nowhere, Diaz struck a low effort against Sels’ near post after managing to keep the ball from going out for a Forest goal kick after an overhit Szoboszlai pass. Sels was called into action again to hold onto a volley by Jota from close range following an outside of the boot cross from Szoboszlai.

Forest held their own and had Anfield momentarily silenced as Gibbs-White raced clear, only for the offside flag to later go up.

Matz Sels was called into action again, pushing wide a powerful header from Mac Allister after 37 minutes.

The remainder of the half was tightly contested with neither team able to create a significant opening and Forest holding their own.

HALF-TIME: Liverpool 0-0 Nottingham Forest

The early exchanges of the second half followed a similar trend to the first, both teams playing neat football at times but neither able to establish any authority.

On 51 minutes, Salah chopped inside before blasting a powerful effort towards Sels’ near post that the Belgium international pushed behind for a corner.

The introduction of both Hudson-Odoi and Elanga saw the Reds pose a real threat when winning the ball back and Anfield seemed frustrated at the persistence shown across the pitch by Forest. Some fine play on the break by all of Hudson Odoi, Wood and Gibbs-White allowed for an opening for Elanga, but the Swede was unable to trouble Allison in the Home side’s goal.

The away end erupted into life after 72 minutes when Callum Hudson-Odoi curled a beautiful effort towards, and in off, the far post. It was Elanga who provided the assist, after bursting away on the far side before providing Hudson-Odoi with a delightful cross-field switch. It was a reward for the hard work across the field the Reds had showed since kick-off.

Forest saw out the remainder of the game, winning every header and challenging every loose ball, which eventually saw them over the line and travelling back to Nottinghamshire with their first League win at Anfield for 55 years and remaining unbeaten in the Premier League for the 2024/2025 season.

****

SOURCE: Nottingham Forest website