Callum Hudson-Odoi made history by becoming the first player to score against Arne Slot’s Liverpool in the Premier League, delivering a stunning blow to their ambitions. Nottingham Forest made an unexpected triumph at Anfield, marking their first victory there since February 1969. With this result, only Manchester City remains with a perfect record in the English top flight, necessitating some reevaluation for Liverpool after Slot’s impressive initial performances were abruptly halted.
Slot departed the pitch visibly frustrated as his team’s perfect start to the season was shattered. This defeat stands as the first significant challenge for the coach following his summer transfer from Feyenoord. Liverpool struggled throughout the match, even with multiple tactical adjustments, while Forest executed a well-planned strategy that kept the hosts at bay.
Hudson-Odoi’s goal was a turning point, as Nottingham Forest effectively contained Liverpool during the first half. After taking the lead, they maintained their composure to secure a victory that had eluded them at Anfield for more than five decades. Slot found himself unable to initiate the response needed from his players, who, despite their efforts, lacked effectiveness and ultimately faltered.
In an attempt to stifle the growing dissatisfaction from the crowd, Slot made a bold move with a triple substitution just before the hour mark, withdrawing Alexis Mac Allister, Luis Diaz, and Diogo Jota. He reorganized the team to add fresh energy, but the changes only served to further disrupt Liverpool’s flow. Their attacking efforts resulted in disjointed plays, and they struggled to deal with Forest’s counterattacks.
The decisive moment came when Anthony Elanga assisted Hudson-Odoi, allowing him to cut inside and score with a well-placed shot into the far corner. Following this setback, Slot responded by modifying the formation to a three-man defense, but Liverpool could not capitalize.
On an afternoon when Nottingham Forest delivered a single effective strike, Liverpool’s attacking unit appeared lackluster. Despite maintaining 70 percent possession, they could not convert opportunities into goals, accumulating an xG of just 0.87. Mohamed Salah was particularly underwhelming, with Diogo Jota and Darwin Nunez also failing to create significant chances.
Slot expressed his disappointment in a post-match interview, acknowledging the need for improvement in both chance creation and individual player performances despite having substantial possession.
Looking ahead, Liverpool will aim to rebound from this setback in their upcoming fixtures, including a crucial Champions League match against AC Milan and a Premier League clash with Bournemouth.