Liverpool 3-0 Nottingham Forest: Reds cruise past forest to move back withing three points of Premier League summit

Liverpool moved to within three points of the Premier League summit with a comprehensive 3-0 win over Nottingham Forest at Anfield.

The Reds, who had momentarily been top of the table last weekend after their 2-0 win in the Merseyside derby, took their time to break down a resolute Forest low block, with clear-cut chances in the early exchanges few and far between.

It was Darwin Nunez just shy of the half-hour who ignited the game’s spark, as his powerful effort from an acute angle was well saved by Matt Turner at his near post after an unfortunate slip from Murillo, the left-sided Brazilian centre-back.

Just moments later, it was another Murillo mistake that saw Liverpool take the lead, as a swift counter-attacking move, aided by a rash decision by the Forest defender to step out to meet the onrushing Dominik Szoboszlai.

The Hungarian looked wide to his right, finding Mohamed Salah, before the Egyptian drove inside and slipped a ball into the right channel for Nunez to scamper after.

The Uruguayan’s firm strike was parried by Turner, but the rebound was gobbled up by Diogo Jota, on hand to score again for Liverpool after netting against Toulouse in midweek.

Just four minutes later, Nunez turned goalscorer, as another clean counter-attack did the damage.

Again, penetrating a stretched visiting defence down the right flank, Salah and Szoboszlai combined again, with the right-winger giving it back to the midfielder, who had made the underlapping run. His cut-back was bundled into the roof of the net by Nunez, who had made the near-post dart, and Jurgen Klopp’s Reds had doubled their money.

Turner produced a strong pair of saves within a minute of each other, first denying Ryan Gravenberch from the edge of the area, before keeping out a Szboszlai drive from a slightly more central area.

The hosts pushed for a third after the break, with Salah especially keen to get on the scoresheet, but the closest they came was through substitute Harvey Elliott, whose side-footed effort just after the hour was deflected behind by the recovering Ola Aina.

Salah finally got his goal 13 minutes from time as a long punt forward from Szoboszlai was not dealt with by either Harry Toffolo or Matt Turner, who had raced out of his goal to clear.

Neither the goalkeeper nor the left wing-back communicated properly, and the ball’s bounce fell kindly for the lurking Salah, who accepted the gift and slotted into the unguarded net.

Former Manchester United winger Anthony Elanga rattled the crossbar with five minutes to go as Forest threatened to taint Alisson’s clean sheet, but the hosts held on for a three points that takes them to third in the table.

Liverpool didn’t need to be at their best for this one, with Nottingham Forest hardly offering any kind of threat to the hosts on the counter.

Set up in a low block to try and soak up pressure and hit their opponents on the break, Forest just couldn’t get out of their own half as The Reds swarmed them with the sheer number of bodies they committed to their gegenpress.

Elanga’s late bar rattle may have jolted the defensive nerves, but the clean sheet remained in tact, and Klopp’s side must continue this free-flowing, free-scoring form if they are to catch and keep pace with the north London pace-setters.

It was the sort of display you demand from top-class midfielders, and the Hungarian covered every blade of grass.

Winning back possession, aggressive in the challenge, and with that creative twinkle in his eye, this was exactly the kind of performance to repay his price tag.

Liverpool: Alisson 6, Alexander-Arnold 6, Konate 6, van Dijk 6, Tsimikas 6, Szoboszlai 8, Mac Allister 6, Gravenberch 6, Salah 7, Nunez 7, Jota 7. Subs: Gakpo 6, Elliott 6, Endo 6, Gomez 6.

Forest: Turner 5, Niakhate 6, Boly 6, Murillo 5, Aurier 5, Sangare 6, Mangala 6, Dominguez 6, Aina 5, G-White 5, Elanga 5. Subs: Yates 6, Awoniyi 6, Toffolo 6, Williams 6, Santos 6.

29′: WELL SAVED An unfortunate slip from Murillo allows Nunez in behind, and he shoots from a tight angle, but Turner remains strong at his near post. Tsimikas takes the corner this time, and Nunez’s powerful header is over the top.

31′: GOAL! Liverpool finally break the deadlock. and it’s Diogo Jota! It’s a poor error from Murillo as he steps out, and Salah drives infield, sliding in Nunez, who forces the save from Turner, but Jota is there to gobble up the rebound. 1-0.

35′: GOAL! A quickfire double from Liverpool, and it’s Nunez! It’s the Reds at their best, free-flowing on the counter, as Jota switches play to Szoboszlai, and he links with Salah to his right. The Egyptian gives it back to the midfielder on the underlap, and his pull-back is emphatically directed into the roof of the net to double the lead. 2-0.

77′: GOAL! Salah finally has his goal, and it’s a defensive howler from Forest! A long punt forwards Szoboszlai is not dealt with by either Toffolo or Turner, and the bounce falls perfectly for Salah, who sidefoots into the unguarded net.

86′: OFF THE BAR! Elanga rattles the woodwork as Forest have a rare foray forward. Yates finds himself in the pocket, and his lovely ball to the back post is lashed onto the bar by Elanga.