Liverpool were put through their paces while suffering an unexpected defeat against Nottingham Forest at Anfield.
Arne Slot’s debut got off to a perfect start when the Reds started the season with three wins in three games against Ipswich, Brentford and Manchester United, without conceding even a single goal.
The Merseyside club were the obvious heavy favorites to win at Anfield against Forest, hence the Reds were stunned by Callum Hudson-Odoi’s 72nd minute winner.
It was the first goal conceded by Alisson for Liverpool this season, upsetting the Brazilian goalkeeper and, after the defeat, the goalkeeper blamed some of his teammates for their dismal performance.
“We didn’t manage to play better – when we made the subs – with the ball,” said Alisson, as quoted by Sky Sports.
“We didn’t create so many clear chances. Because they defended really well but also a little bit of poor football from our side today.
“We didn’t adapt quick enough. We conceded three counter-attacks before we conceded a goal on a counter-attack. We should defend it better in those situations.
“Hudson-Odoi had too much freedom to do whatever he wanted with the ball, dribbling inside and shooting. It was poor defending from us.”
Tough though it was for Red fans to swallow, the defeat is a hard yet necessary reality check for the new Liverpool manager that no team should be dismissed in the Premier League where matches are concerned.
Registering early 3-0 win against one’s biggest rivals in their own backyard in previous matches do not necessarily mean squat as even relegation-threatened sides can spring a totally unexpected surprise on any day with their performances.
This first win at Anfield by Forest since 1969 is a credit to the remarkable job done by Nottingham Forest manager, Nuno Espirito Santo.
The Portuguese gaffer evidently had the upper hand in the tactical battle against Slot, with Hudson-Odoi and Anthony Elanga both coming on from the bench to combine well and win the match for the visitors.
Liverpool will be hosting Bournemouth in the Premier League next and they would be hoping to get back to winning ways and the Reds will also be involved in the Champions League in the midweek with a trip to Milan to face AC Milan.
The next few weeks are expected to be chock-a-block with the Merseyside club being involved in the Premier League, the Champions League and the EFL Cup.